Skipper Prosecuted over Alcohol Levels after accident

Yesterday, the 12th of March, it was confirmed that a Polish National, is being prosecuted for being Drunk in Charge of a vessel after a collision between a Cargo Vessel and a Ferry.

The Skipper faces Crown Prosecution over an incident that happened at 7.45 p.m. on the 7th March 2012 when Mr. Pozniak who was the skipper of the cargo ship involved in a collision with a Stenaline passenger ferry.

Yesterday (the 12th of March), prosecutors confirmed that they had decided to proceed with criminal charges which could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 2 years on foot of the accused being over the alcohol limit when his vessel collided with the ferry last Wednesday.

The captain has already indicated that he will plead guilty but the 55 year old has already been sacked by the shipping company he worked for.

Pozniak applied but was denied bail and he is remanded in custody when the judge indicated that he would not consider the matter today. This was after Police pointed out that on foot of the fact that he had been sacked he was a flight risk. Not even the surrendering of his passport would satisfy the Authorities.

The matter was adjourned until Tuesday the 20th of March.

At the time, there were 51 passengers and 47 crew on board the ferry. The collision took place in Belfast lough.

All of the crew and passengers safely disembarked at Belfast.

The skipper was captaining the MV Union Moon which is a dry cargo ship built in 1995 with a gross tonnage of €1,543 and length overall of 87 metres. She is flagged out of Cook Island.

Dermot Conway
CONWAYS SOLICITORS
contact Dermot at 0214901000 or dermot@conways.ie