Pilot Reported Arriving Containership’s Captain Appeared to be Intoxicated

The maritime authority fined the captain €75,000 (approximately $83,000) and the report says he is under investigation by the shipping line. The captain who was only described as a Ukrainian citizen is facing dismissal by the shipping line.

Wec Frans Hals (11,200 dwt) is a small container vessel registered in Portugal and maintains a regular service between Gijon and Vigo in Spain and the Canary Islands. The vessel has a capacity of 862 TEU and 433 feet (132 meters) in length. 

The incident took place on August 20 when the vessel was approaching the La Luz terminal on Gran Canaria. The maritime authority held the vessel for two days in port until the shipping line could send a replacement captain to take command of the vessel.