Press Notice No: 347-09
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Posted 11:50 GMT

At York Crown court today George Wood, skipper of the 30 metre fishing vessel Honeybourne III registered in Peterhead was fined £1000 after being found guilty of being drunk in charge of a vessel following an incident on the 23rd August this year on the north east coast.

FV Honeybourne 111

At 9.37am on that day Humber Coastguard was contacted on VHF Channel 16 by the crew of the fishing vessel reporting that the vessel had run aground just north of Filey.
There were seven crew onboard and the report stated that neither the vessel nor crew were in any immediate danger. Humber Coastguard informed the crew to monitor VHF Channel 16, whilst rescue resources were alerted and to keep the Coastguard informed of any changes to the situation.
As RNLI lifeboats from Filey and Scarborough were launching, along with the attendance of warship HMS Severn, further calls were made to the fishing vessel with no response.
Honeybourne III then let off distress flares that were seen by a small passing fishing vessel called the Sunrise, which took all seven of the crew off and took them to Scarborough.
The crew were met at Scarborough Harbour and it appeared that the skipper was under the influence of alcohol. North Yorkshire Police undertook a breathalyser of the skipper who failed the breath test and was arrested.
He was found to have 81 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath - more than twice the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Working together with the Crown Prosecution Service, the North Yorkshire Police and Maritime and Coastguard Agency then brought the case to Court.
His Honour, Judge Spencer QC, said that:

Mr Wood has lost his job as a result of this incident.

Mr Wood claimed that he was undertaking an anchor drill at the time but he could have gone aground at any point.

His Honour went on to say, It is a serious offence and there was clearly a risk to the environment. Mr Wood also faces the prospect of losing his Masters ticket.
Captain Jeremy Smart, Head of Enforcement said:

Being drunk in charge of any vessel is a very serious matter. It puts at risk not only all those onboard but other users of the sea.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency who are responsible for the issue of Masters Certificates of Competency will now take forward the matter of Mr Woods suitability to continue to hold such a Certificate.

Posted By: Fred Caygill

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401