Ukrainian container ship captain arrested drunk at Port of Gdańsk
A serious incident unfolded at the Port of Gdańsk involving a container ship under the Liberian flag. The ship’s captain, a Ukrainian national, was found heavily intoxicated just hours before the vessel was scheduled to sail to Bremerhaven, Germany.
In brief
The captain of a Liberian-flagged container ship, a Ukrainian citizen, was detained in the Port of Gdańsk with a breath alcohol reading of 2.29 per mille. The vessel was due to depart for Bremerhaven on Wednesday morning, and the report was passed by radio to the Border Guard Post in Gdańsk by the duty officer of the Harbour Master's Office. A repeat test at the Police Station in Gdańsk showed 2.5 per mille. The shipowner appointed a new captain the same day and the container ship left port in the evening, according to Tadeusz Gruchalla, spokesman for the Maritime Border Guard Unit.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the Harbor Master’s Office in Gdańsk received a radio report raising concerns about the captain’s sobriety. Officers from the Polish Border Guard promptly boarded the vessel to conduct an alcohol breathalyzer test. The initial reading showed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 2.29‰. The captain was then transported to a local police station for a secondary test, which confirmed an even higher BAC of 2.5‰.
– Following a radio alert from the Harbor Master’s Office, officers from the Border Guard unit in Gdańsk intervened immediately, confirmed Tadeusz Gruchalla, spokesperson for the Maritime Branch of the Polish Border Guard.
Due to the captain’s intoxication, he was removed from duty, and a replacement was appointed later that day. Only after the change in command was the container ship cleared to depart safely for Bremerhaven.
Ensuring maritime safety at the Port of Gdańsk
This incident highlights the critical role played by port authorities and border enforcement agencies in maintaining maritime safety. Operating a large commercial vessel under the influence of alcohol poses severe risks—not only to the crew and vessel but also to port infrastructure and the marine environment.
The case has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further investigation. The captain faces potential charges for operating a vessel while intoxicated and endangering navigation safety.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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