Ship collides with Dalben in Bremen; captain allegedly intoxicated.
In Bremen, Germany, a sea vessel was involved in a collision near the Oslebshausen lock. The incident, which caused damage to the ship over a length of approximately 30 meters, has led to a thorough investigation by the Bremen Water Police.
According to the police, a breathalyzer test conducted on the spot showed a reading of over 2 promille for the 53-year-old captain, indicating that he was under the influence of alcohol during the incident. A blood sample was taken from the captain as evidence for the ongoing investigation.
No one was injured during the collision, but the ship was immediately banned from leaving due to the damage it sustained. The ship is currently undergoing inspection by an insurer and an expert to assess the extent of the damage and determine if repairs are necessary. The estimated property damage is currently over 120,000 euros, and a security deposit of 18,000 euros has been set.
German maritime law enforces strict alcohol regulations for ship masters, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.5 promille applying to both inland and sea waterways. Violations, particularly those affecting safety, are treated as serious offenses. If found guilty, the captain may face criminal charges such as negligent homicide or bodily harm if the collision causes injury or death, fines, imprisonment, revocation or suspension of the captain's license, and civil liability for damages resulting from the collision.
The investigation into endangering maritime traffic is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether the ship needs to be repaired in Bremen and when it can resume its journey. It is also worth noting that from 1.1 promille, a criminal offense is present even without additional impairment, on waterways.
Thankfully, there was no environmental hazard, such as oil spills, during the incident. The police investigation into the matter is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
In light of the alcohol-related incident leading to the collision near the Oslebshausen lock in Bremen, Germany, the case might be a matter of interest for the general-news sector, as it involves a serious violation of German maritime law, specifically in relation to the captain's alleged alcohol consumption. The crime-and-justice category could also take interest, as the captain may potentially face criminal charges for operating a vessel while under the influence, especially considering the potential consequences for maritime safety.
