Jarle Andhøy, the controversial adventurer whose crew went missing during a storm in Antarctica three years ago, was convicted Monday for sailing back into the restricted area when he tried to investigate the circumstances of their disappearance a year later.
Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) reported that Andhøy immediately claimed he’d appeal his conviction and fine, for sailing into Antarctica without permission from the Norwegian Polar Institute. Andhøy allegedly lacked permission and didn’t meet strict demands for insurance and preparedness for environmental consequences. when he set sail from New Zealand in the winter of 2012.
A year earlier Anhøy also got in trouble in the area when he went ashore with a young crew member to trek to the South Pole. That’s when his other crew members on board his sailboat Berserk went missing, presumably in a severe storm.
Anhøy argued that an international treaty governing Antarctica applies only on land, not at open sea. The court found him guilty of violating the treaty, though, fining him NOK 40,000 (USD 6,600) plus court costs of NOK 5,000. If he doesn’t pay, he’ll be sentenced to 50 days in jail.
newsinenglish.no staff