A container ship, Wec Frans Hals, experienced difficulties during a docking maneuver at the Port of La Luz and Las Palmas in Gran Canaria on August 20th, due to the captain’s intoxication.
According to local news sources, the Maritime Authority was alerted by the pilot, prompting an immediate investigation. Upon boarding the ship, the authorities administered a breathalyzer test to the captain, revealing a blood alcohol level of 1.13 mg/l—significantly above the legal limit of 0.25 mg/l.
Effects of drug and alcohol abuse on seafarers
- Impaired judgment: Drugs and alcohol impair cognitive functions and coordination, which are crucial for safe operation of a ship and response to emergencies.
- Enhanced risk of accidents: Seafarers under the influence are more prone to accidents, both onboard and during port operations, endangering their own lives, the lives of their crewmates, and the environment.
- Decreased alertness: Substance abuse can lead to reduced alertness, attention, and concentration, affecting a seafarer’s ability to monitor the ship’s systems effectively.
- Health issues: Long-term substance abuse can lead to serious health problems like liver damage, cardiovascular issues, mental health disorders, and addiction.
- Conflict and misbehavior: Substance abuse can contribute to conflicts with fellow crew members, insubordination, and other forms of misconduct, which disrupt the ship’s operations and crew morale.
The captain, a Ukrainian national operating the container ship under the Portuguese flag, was fined approximately €75,000 for working under the influence on August 20th at the Port of La Luz and Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The Civil Guard highlighted that the captain’s impaired state posed a serious risk to both the ship’s crew and other maritime traffic.
Given the high-risk nature of docking a vessel of significant size, the captain’s intoxication exacerbated the danger, leading to the decision to immobilize the ship as a precautionary measure. This action was taken to ensure the safety of the port facilities, the ship, and its crew.
