A Polish national and container ship captain, was sentenced to a suspended prison sentence and fine after being detected nearly four times above the legal alcohol limit while in charge of his vessel, says an article published on marine insight website.
Summary
- Zbigniew Chowaniec, a Polish national and captain of the container ship MSC Roshney V, was caught nearly four times above the legal alcohol limit while in charge of his vessel.
- Chowaniec admitted to the maritime violation during his appearance at the Ipswich Crown Court. He was found to have a breathalyser reading of 93 micrograms per 100 millilitres, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 25 micrograms for sailors.
- Despite the seriousness of the offence, Judge David Wilson decided to impose a suspended prison sentence and fine, taking into account Chowaniec’s prior good reputation and lack of current threat to the public.
- Chowaniec received an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a £494 (approximately $620) fine. The suspended prison term is contingent upon Chowaniec avoiding further criminal activity within the specified timeframe.
Incident Overview
A Polish national and captain of the container ship, was caught nearly four times above the legal alcohol limit while in charge of his vessel. The incident occurred on January 15th when police boarded the ship in Felixstowe, Suffolk, during its voyage from Belgium to Turkey.
Legal Proceedings
Captain, aged 65, admitted to the maritime violation during his appearance at the Ipswich Crown Court. He was found to have a breathalyser reading of 93 micrograms per 100 millilitres, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 25 micrograms for sailors. Despite the seriousness of the offence, Judge David Wilson decided to impose a suspended prison sentence and fine, taking into account Chowaniec’s prior good reputation and lack of current threat to the public.
Sentencing
Captain received an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a £494 (approximately $620) fine. The suspended prison term is contingent upon Chowaniec avoiding further criminal activity within the specified timeframe.
Public Response And Safety Concerns
The court’s decision has sparked debate regarding appropriate penalties for such a significant maritime violation. Concerns have been raised about the potential dangers posed by intoxicated ship commanders. This incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of adhering to strict alcohol guidelines, particularly in industries where public safety is paramount.
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Source: marine insight
