Master of ship docked in Southampton caught drunk on duty

Piotr Gruszecki, 65, was the master of the BG Rotterdam container ship when he brought it into British docks, a court heard.

A pilot, Edward Woodhouse, came aboard to aid with the docking and could then smell alcohol on Gruszecki.

He asked Gruszecki if he had been drinking, and he said no, but Mr Woodhouse called the police.

Piotr Gruszecki (Image: Solent News Agency)

Gruszecki, a captain of 25 years, said he had gone to sleep drunk, and when he woke up, he 'thought he was fine' but the police found 110 micrograms of alcohol in his blood.

He was charged with being drunk on duty and was fired from his job.

He pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates' Court this week, and was ordered to pay £780, including court costs.

On September 20, 2019, Gruszecki was in charge of the a 13 year old container ship, weighing 8,273 tons and flying under the flag of Portugal, when it came to Southampton at dock gate 20.

Mr Woodhouse came close enough to smell the alcohol, but in a statement said he didn't have concerns about the manner in which Gruszecki undertook his duties.

He confirmed the ship was berthed without incident, and no decisions required him to intervene.

READ MORE: Man hijacked Southampton Port radio and made racial slurs

Regarding safety issues, Mr Woodhouse commented that drinking is 'very dangerous' and 'police should always be called'.

When officers tested Gruszecki's blood, the analysis showed 110 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Prosecuting, Charles Nightingale told the court the shipping limit for alcohol levels is 50, unlike most vehicles, which is 80.

Gruszecki, who was 63 at the time, had an 'impeccable' previous record, the court heard.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of being a master on duty with alcohol in his blood above the limit.

The court heard that having been sacked he had been forced to sell his home and car in Poland and he and his wife now live with his mother-in-law in Poland.

READ MORE: Drunk passenger 'facing different kind of holiday' after police called

Since the incident he was said to have stopped drinking.

Sentencing Gruszecki, magistrate Kevin White said: "He is aware of the stupid set of decisions he made that day.

"He had been drinking because of high levels of work frustration.

"Sadly, we are not unfamiliar with masters of ships drinking. If it had been a yacht, it would have been serious, but a thousand-ton Rotterdam ship is beyond the pale.

"We have heard that the termination of your employment has had very serious consequences for you and your family.

"But I want you to know that I and everyone here have absolutely no sympathy for you. I think you know how serious it is for a master of a ship to be drunk on duty."

Gruszecki was handed a fine of £600 and ordered to pay £180 in court costs.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook