JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — A warrant was issued Wednesday for an Oregon man stranded in his sailboat in Jacksonville Beach was arrested earlier in the month for leaving the vessel there.
In late October, 43-year-old John Rehman said his 40-foot sailboat lost power, forcing him to swim to shore on Oct. 23, which drew crowds the following day.
He was arrested on Dec. 13 by Jacksonville Beach Police Department and released Dec. 14 on a charge of leaving or abandoning a derelict vessel. He received a citation Nov. 4 from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission regarding a failure to change interest or address vessel within 30 days.
Rehman then said he was robbed about five days into being stranded. Rehman faced eviction in November, but highlighted a significant community response to his plight. he later said he intended to stay in Jacksonville.
He told First Coast News he did not have the money for the $12,000 cost of an industrial-grade tugboat to remove the sailboat from the beach or $15,000 he said the authorities would charge him to remove it.
