On Wednesday, October 2nd, a seagoing vessel rammed a dolphin in the area of the Oslebshauser lock. The collision caused estimated material damage of over 120,000 euros. The captain was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
What happened? According to the police report, the sea-going vessel left the Bremen industrial port on Wednesday in the direction of the Kiel Canal and rammed a dolphin on the way through the Hüttenhafen towards the Oslebshauser lock. The collision caused about 30 meters of damage to the ship, police said.
Captain under significant influence of alcohol
The impact caused some of the load-bearing components of the boat and the outer skin to be torn open. As the police report, the ship was then immediately banned from leaving. The Bremen water police determined that the 53-year-old captain was under the considerable influence of alcohol. According to the police report, an alcohol test carried out on site showed a level of over 2 per mille and the captain’s blood was taken to secure evidence.
As the police inform, there is a “0.5 per mille limit” on sea and inland waterways; exceeding this is an administrative offense. In the case of alcohol-related failures, a level of 0.3 per mille or more can lead to criminal prosecution. From 1.1 per mille, a crime occurs even without additional symptoms.
No one was injured in the incident and there was no environmental risk. A security deposit of 18,000 euros has been set, according to the police. Experts and an insurer are currently inspecting the ship. It is still unclear whether it needs to be repaired in Bremen and when it can continue its journey. The investigation by the water police is ongoing.
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