'Drunken' Nato sailors in hot water with Spanish authorities after racing each other in boats too close to packed beach
A group of Nato sailors sparked panic on a Spanish beach by using an inflatable launch to terrorise bathers.
Witnesses claim the navy crewmen endangered lives by speeding four Zodiac craft and a jet ski around a packed swimming area.
The sailors, men and women, ignored the pleas of local police for three hours as they raced the boats near the shore.
They were on an exercise that involved British sailors, but the Ministry of Defence today denied any involvement in the incident.
The Nato daredevils were eventually stopped after a Civil Guard patrol boat was sent to detain them and bring them to the port.
They face fines of up to €180,000 from Spanish authorities and a major dressing down by top brass.
They carried out turns at such speed that some sailors were thrown from the inflatable craft into the sea.
Witnesses said the sailors were drunk. Cans of beer were reportedly found inside at least one boat.
Lieutenant Commander Brett Dawe, second in command of the Royal Navy vessel HMS Quorn, is understood to have met with the Spanish authorities to explain the incident.
The incident happened on Wednesday at Vigo’s Samil beach, which was packed with between 30,000 and 40,000 people.
The sailors had been given shore leave to explore the city, in north west Spain.
Spanish newspapers described the incident, which lasted from 4pm to 7pm, as a NATO invasion.
The Danish commander of the flotilla, Henrik Rasmussen, and the Danish consul in Vigo both apologised.
