On December 13, the captain of a chemical tanker lost his job after he was found guilty of being drunk on duty while his vessel was carrying tonnes of methanol.
What happened?
Captain Saurabh Kumar Singh of the chemical tanker ‘SG Pegasus’ was waiting to be guided out the Port Taranaki carrying tonnes of methanol by a pilot when he was discovered to be under the influence of alcohol.
The concerned pilot alerted the New Zealand police and maritime officials. When officers arrived at the ship, Singh who was responsible for overseeing the operation of the chemical tanker and its crew, underwent an evidential breath test.
He returned a reading of 881 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath – the seafarer’s legal limit is 250mcgs.
Tanker leaves port
The Panama-registered oil and chemical tanker was docked at Port Taranaki until a replacement master was able to guide the vessel out of the port.
Under the Maritime Transport Act, Singh was charged with exceeding the seafarer’s legal alcohol limit to which he pleaded guilty in the New Plymouth District Court.
Captain fined
Police prosecutor detective sergeant David McKenzie said in explanation Singh told police, “He had been having a bad day and realized he had made a mistake”.
The New Plymouth District Court ordered him to pay a fine of $1000 plus court costs.
Maritime New Zealand’s regional manager Central, Michael-Paul Abbott, said the sentence was a strong reminder and warning to seafarers.
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Source: Stuff
