MARITIME AND
COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (376/08) issued by COI News
Distribution Service. 19 November 2008
At Snaresbrook
Crown Court today, Captain Gonchar Volodymyr aged 53, was
sentenced to two months in jail, and will be deported upon
completion of the sentence after pleading guilty to being the
Master of a ship whilst being over the alcohol limit.
On the 4th November 2008, Gonchar Volodymyr, a Ukrainian, was
Master of the Cypriot registered chemical tanker; 'Elousa
Trikoukiotisa' bound for London from Rostock in Northern
Germany. The vessel was laden with Ammonium Nitrate in liquid form
and had a crew of 15 on board. When the pilot boarded at the Sunk
boarding area, he reported to the Port Authority that the Master
appeared drunk.
Metropolitan Police officers boarded the vessel berthed at
Dagenham Dock and administered a breath test which proved
positive. The Captain was arrested and taken to Dagenham Police
Station where a later breath test indicated 103 microgram's
of alcohol in 100 microgram's of breath. The legal limit for
seafarers is the 80, the same as for road users.
On passing sentence, Her Honour Judge J Hughes QC took into
account Mr. Volodymyr's previous good character and record.
She noted that he had now lost his job and the effects of the
sentence upon his career.
However she also noted the nature of cargo and that the
navigation of vessel had been satisfactory, but that was down to
Chief Officer who had taken over. It was also brought up in court
that the Master had signed the ships documents stating no alcohol
onboard but that he had said that it had been 8 hrs since his last drink.
Bryan Hopkins, Surveyor-in-Charge at the MCA's Orpington
Marine Office said,
"Although the limit is the same as for road drivers, I
cannot emphasise the seriousness of this situation. Captain
Volodymyr was in command of a vessel that had a strict no alcohol
policy with 15 persons on board and carrying a dangerous cargo
transiting one of the busiest shipping areas in the world. The
Captain was relieved of his command by the ships owners following
his arrest."
For further information please contact
Maritime and
Coastguard Agency Press Office, on:
(023) 8032 9401
Press releases and further information about the Agency is
available on the Web at http://www.mcga.gov.uk