Editorial: Testing must be a real option

Pramod Kumar, ship's master of the African Harrier, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated while in charge of his ship. Photo / John Borren

The discovery of a captain drunk at the helm of a 37,000-tonne container ship carrying fertiliser sent shivers down my spine.

This week Sandra Conchie reported that Pramod Kumar admitted operating a ship with an excess breath alcohol - a breach under the Maritime Transport Act which attracts a maximum sentence of one year's prison and a $10,000 fine.

Kumar was fined $3000. A mere pittance when you consider the economic impact of another potential maritime disaster could run into the millions. Or tens of millions.

We learnt this week that Kumar has now lost his job with his employers MUR (Shipping). A full inquiry has now started.

Maritime New Zealand director Keith Manch said legislation did not allow random alcohol and drug testing.

However, many companies would have their own drug and alcohol policies which would manage these sorts of issues internally.

I think it needs to go further. Compulsory breath testing should be carried out on all arriving and departing ship masters.

I would hope authorities such as Maritime New Zealand have the scope to explore this.

Navigating the muddy waters of bureaucracy sounds daunting but surely the risks outweigh the costs?

It may strike some as overbearing but we need only one impaired captain to make one mistake at the helm.

Today on page 2 and 3 John Cousins reports that it's full steam ahead with Port of Tauranga plans to allow mega container ships into the harbour.

It now becomes an even bigger imperative that safety is the priority.

The bigger the ship, the bigger the mess.

Given the post-Rena mood of our region I don't think Tauranga could tolerate, or afford, another catastrophe.

We need to know that those in charge of sailing these behemoths in and out of our harbour are of sound mind.

What do you think?
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