The ship master who yesterday pleaded guilty to a charge of operating a ship with an excess breath alcohol, has been fired.
MUR Shipping released a statement this morning and said it "regrets to confirm that the master of the MV African Harrier was relieved of his command at the Port of Tauranga due to a breach of the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping Regulation Vlll/1, and the company's own rigorous Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy".
Pramod Kumar, 36, has been relieved of his command, dismissed from the company and fined $3000 in the Tauranga District Court.
"A replacement master has been appointed and the vessel has now sailed for Marsden Point," the statement said.
MUR's Chief Executive Officer, Robert Muirhead said he was shocked and disappointed by the serious breach of the regulations.
"[I] have immediately ordered a full enquiry into the facts. We will ask independent auditors to assist us and ensure the investigation is as comprehensive as possible.
"An incident like this has never happened before in our 20 year history and we will endeavour to ensure it can never happen again."
