Drunk ship's captain more than five times over the limit

Anthony Baker appears in the Whangarei District Court. Photo/Michael Cunningham

A ship's captain who was more than five times over the legal alcohol limit while bringing his logging ship to dock in Northland has been fined $3000.

Anthony Baker, 53, pleaded guilty in the Whangarei District Court this morning to contravening special blood alcohol limit under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 s40c.

He blew 1345 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

The limit for a seafarer is 250mcg.

Baker's lawyer Nick Leader told the court his client has been suspended by his employer and it would be difficult for him to find work in a similar profession in future.

Baker, from the United Kingdom, sought to pay a fine rather than reappear for sentencing at a later date as he wanted to go back home.

He was assisting the docking of the Shansi, a 40,000 tonne logging ship, at North Port on Friday afternoon when Maritime New Zealand and police were called for help after Baker smelled of alcohol.

MV Shansi. Photo/Supplied

He was taken off the ship and to the Whangarei Police Station where he was breath tested.

The Shansi has since left port.

Baker expressed remorse in court and accepted he has to get over his drinking problem.

In 2005, he was diagnosed with post stress traumatic disorder and took 10 months off work.

Police earlier said a pilot, who was helping dock the ship, thought the captain appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

Breaching the 250mcg limit for a seafarer carries a 12 month term of imprisonment or a $10,000 fine.

Following the breath test, Baker was arrested and charged with an offence under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 s40c - contravenes specified breath or blood-alcohol limit.

A blood alcohol limit for on-duty seafarers was introduced to the Maritime Transport Act in 2013 as part of the Maritime Transport Amendment Bill.