Greenwich Yacht Club Member Cleared in High Court Harassment Case
Former cruiser captain Stefan Oloffs absolved of allegations following dispute over barge mooring and club conduct.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Stefan Oloffs, a former cruiser captain at Greenwich Yacht Club, has been cleared of harassment allegations at London's High Court.
The ruling dismissed the bulk of a harassment suit brought by Richard Phillips, finding his claims and comments insufficiently serious to meet the legal threshold under the Protection from Harassment Act.
The court heard the two men clashed over club activities and cruiser sailing participation, even before the contentious issue of a barge mooring arose.
Mr. Phillips formally complained about Mr. Oloffs' conduct through his lawyers in February 2024, alleging a public campaign of harassment.
His lawyers claimed Mr. Oloffs ran a public campaign to blacken his good name, asserting this campaign caused Mr. Phillips significant distress, loss of sleep, anxiety, and public embarrassment.
Mr. Oloffs, however, suggested Mr. Phillips received "preferential treatment" when securing a mooring for his barge, _Verandering_.
He claimed this preferential treatment stemmed from Mr. Phillips' position within the club, allowing him to avoid hefty mooring fees.
The court heard Mr. Phillips paid £15,000 for the barge's berth; Mr. Phillips himself reiterated this fact.
An internal Greenwich Yacht Club inquiry previously cleared Mr. Phillips of evading mooring fees, finding no financial impropriety.
Mr. Oloffs maintained his aim was to "highlight a conflict of interest concerning a director of the club and the subsequent cover up by the club management."
He further claimed the commodore, in collaboration with flag officers and other committee members, quelled all discussion on what he termed "Barge Gate."
Mr. Oloffs, describing himself as a "mutinous" member, stated he was "hauled in front of the committee in January 2024 and expelled."
He also alleged the barge was "moored illegally and created a risk of drowning."
Mr. Oloffs' barrister argued the harassment claim was "wholly unnecessary," contending it was motivated by Mr. Phillips' desire for "recrimination and financial oppression" against Mr. Oloffs.
I do not accept (the) submission that the scale of Mr. Oloffs’ campaign against Mr. Phillips was so 'remarkable' that it arguably met the quasi-criminal threshold. This is especially so, given the context of robust debate in the club environment, where the claimant also made serious counter-allegations about the defendant's conduct in the club.
Mrs. Justice Hill stated, "I do not accept (the) submission that the scale of Mr. Oloffs’ campaign against Mr. Phillips was so 'remarkable' that it arguably met the quasi-criminal threshold."
She added, "This is especially so, given the context of robust debate in the club environment, where the claimant also made serious counter-allegations about the defendant's conduct in the club."
The Greenwich Yacht Club, founded in 1908, is located downriver from Tower Bridge, providing a historical backdrop to the contemporary dispute.
This long-standing institution, with over a century of history, now faces public scrutiny over its governance and the conduct of its members.
The future of club governance, particularly concerning transparency and member disputes, will undoubtedly be shaped by this ruling, impacting how similar organizations navigate internal conflicts and allegations of preferential treatment.