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.
security ports border guard tricity news07 august 2025 | 14:28 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print
fot. MOSG
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.
see also
Buy us a coffee, and we’ll invest in great maritime journalism! Support Gazeta Morska and help us sail forward – click here!
Kamil Kusier
redaktor naczelny
comments
Add the first comment
see also
Poland’s security in focus. President meets with ministers and heads of special services
NATO’s persistent naval presence in the Arctic and the northern Atlantic strengthens sea lane security
Poland launches second DELFIN SIGINT ship ORP Henryk Zygalski in Gdańsk
The Jan Heweliusz ferry disaster. 33 years after one of Poland’s worst maritime tragedies
Polish icebreakers in action on the Odra and Vistula rivers
Man rescued from ice 500 metres offshore in Puck Bay
Ustka a NATO opportunity? What a port on the border of two regions could change
Polish Naval Academy students advance unmanned maritime systems
Winter on Puck Bay: ice conditions, natural values, and responsible use
Accident at offshore service base construction in Ustka highlights gaps in emergency medical response
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT