Drinking and driving is a dangerous combination at all times – and equally so if you’re captaining a 120-metre-long, 7 750 deadweight-tonne bulk carrier.
According to media reports, the 2007-built Russian-flagged Ruslana has been detained in Poland after coming dangerously close to grounding after authorities found the captain and three of its crew members drunk.
Poland's Maritime Office reported that the incident had taken place on December 3 to 4 when the Russian-flagged ship left the designated shipping lanes in Gdansk Bay and did not respond to calls.
The Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) alerted the Maritime Department of Border Guard that the ship was in danger of grounding – and a team from the Maritime Search and Rescue Service was sent to the scene. It took some time before contact was made.
The vessel is now at anchorage.
