The ship master fined yesterday for having operated a ship drunk has been fired by MUR Shipping.
Parmod Kumar, master of the bulk carrier African Harrier, pleaded guilty to the charges before the Tauranga District Court and was fined NZD 3,000 (USD 2,272).
The 2014-built, 37,707 dwt bulker was due to leave Tauranga on Sunday, March 22, but the ship’s pilot expressed concern to Maritime NZ that the master was under the influence of alcohol.
A breath test at Tauranga Police Station showed the man had a breath alcohol level of 1229 micrograms per litre, almost five times the legal limit of 250mg/l.
” MUR Shipping regrets to confirm that the master of the MV African Harrier was relieved of his command at the Port of Tauranga due to a breach of the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping Regulation Vlll/1, and the company’s own rigorous Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy ,” the New Zealand Herald cited the company’s statement.
According to MUR Shipping, a replacement master has been appointed and the vessel has now sailed for Marsden Point.
The company has launched a full investigation together with independent auditors into the case.
World Maritime News Staff