Russian officer was drunk when running ship aground
A Russian officer was eight times over the alcohol limit when he ran the "Lysblink Seaways" aground at full speed onto rocks in the Highlands, a report revealed.
The 36-year-old chief officer fell asleep on the bridge of the vessel after downing two thirds of a bottle of rum, the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch probe has revealed.
An investigation found the incoherent sailor was slumped in his chair and failed to change course as the ship passed through the Sound of Mull on Feb 18 this year.
The MAIB found a catalogue of errors including having no lookout on the bridge, the alarm system being switched off and shortcomings in safety on board the ship despite a change of owner.
Due to the adverse weather conditions on February 17, when the ship left Belfast for its voyage to Norway, the 59-year-old Norwegian master decided the vessel would take an inshore route along the west coast of Scotland via the Sounds of Islay and Mull.
The ship wass broken up in Rosneath.
A Russian officer was eight times over the alcohol limit when he ran the "Lysblink Seaways" aground at full speed onto rocks in the Highlands, a report revealed.
The 36-year-old chief officer fell asleep on the bridge of the vessel after downing two thirds of a bottle of rum, the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch probe has revealed.
An investigation found the incoherent sailor was slumped in his chair and failed to change course as the ship passed through the Sound of Mull on Feb 18 this year.
The MAIB found a catalogue of errors including having no lookout on the bridge, the alarm system being switched off and shortcomings in safety on board the ship despite a change of owner.
Due to the adverse weather conditions on February 17, when the ship left Belfast for its voyage to Norway, the 59-year-old Norwegian master decided the vessel would take an inshore route along the west coast of Scotland via the Sounds of Islay and Mull.
The ship wass broken up in Rosneath.