A High Court judge has cleared a former captain at the Greenwich Yacht Club of harassment following a dispute over an 80-foot houseboat, dubbed 'Barge-gate.' Stefan Oloffs, 54, had been sued by commodore Richard Phillips, 60, who alleged Oloffs conducted a smear campaign to undermine his position and avoid mooring fees for his Dutch barge.
Phillips claimed Oloffs accused him of receiving preferential treatment and misusing his position to dodge substantial mooring fees for his vessel, named Verandering. Oloffs allegedly published these claims on a WhatsApp group with 230 members and a website titled 'Barge-gate,' a name referencing the Watergate scandal. He also lodged a formal complaint with the Port of London authority.
Phillips sought £20,000 in damages, asserting he suffered significant distress, sleep loss, anxiety, and public embarrassment due to what he termed a 'public campaign of harassment.' However, Oloffs' defense argued the case was 'wholly unnecessary' and driven by Phillips' desire for 'recrimination and financial oppression.'
Mrs. Justice Hill, in her ruling, dismissed the bulk of Phillips' claim, stating that Oloffs' actions and comments were not sufficiently serious to constitute the 'quasi-criminal' offense of harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act. While acknowledging Oloffs' conduct may have caused 'irritation, annoyance and upset,' the judge found that Phillips had no realistic prospect of proving at trial that Oloffs' conduct crossed the boundary into being 'oppressive and unacceptable.'
The dispute between the two sailors escalated after they reportedly held differing views on club social activities and ways to increase participation in cruiser sailing. The core of their falling out, however, centered on Phillips' 80-foot barge, Verandering, which he had brought to London to sell. In June 2023, Oloffs accused Phillips of underpaying mooring fees, though Phillips stated he had paid £15,000 for the berth. Despite an internal investigation that reportedly exonerated Phillips of financial misconduct, his lawyers contended that Oloffs initiated a public campaign against him.
Oloffs stated on his website that its purpose was to 'highlight a conflict of interest concerning a director of the club and the subsequent cover up by the club management.' He promoted the website at a 'Club Night' in January 2024. Oloffs later claimed he was expelled from the yacht club in 2024 after being accused of being a 'mutinous member' for raising concerns, which he stated were 'quelled' by the commodore and other club officials.
Oloffs had also complained to the Port of London Authority, alleging the barge was 'moored illegally and created a risk of drowning.' The barge was relocated two months later. Phillips formally complained about Oloffs' conduct through his lawyers in February 2024. Oloffs subsequently took down his website and offered an apology.
Phillips' lawsuit also included claims for breach of confidence, misuse of private information, and breach of the UK Data Protection Act related to the publication of his private information. The judge granted Oloffs summary judgment on claims of harassment, breach of confidence, misuse of private information, and data breach concerning social media use. The issue of whether Oloffs breached data rights on his 'Barge Gate' website is to be decided at a separate hearing, unless the judge deems the matter too minor.
The Greenwich Yacht Club, founded in 1908, is located on the River Thames and has over 400 members.