A SHIP’S captain was fired from his £50,000 a year job and fined £2,000 after being drunk at the helm of his vessel while berthing in Southampton.

Valery Semenov, 52, from Russia was three times over the legal limit when he tried berthing cargo vessel Balu C into the city’s port.

ABP called out Solent Coastguard after noticing the ship was not being managed correctly and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency were informed.

Police were called to the dockyard and breathalised the captain before arresting him for being drunk while in charge of the vessel.

Balu C, which can carry more than 8,000 tonnes of cargo was on passage from Amsterdam to Southampton with a full load of grain and a crew of 12.

Semenov was arrested and the next day pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrate’s Court for being drunk at the helm.

He has now lost his £50,000 a year job and been remanded in custody for 45 days after being unable to pay a £2,000 fine and £100 court costs.