Cargo ship master faces alcohol charge after collision with Stena ferry

The BBC reports that the captain of a vessel involved in a collision with a Stenaline ferry at the mouth of Belfast Lough will appear in court on Friday on a charge of having excess alcohol in his blood. The masters of both vessels were breathalyzed after the incident.

Stena Line said that the collision involved the Stena Feronia ferry, on its approach to Belfast, and the cargo vessel Union Moon.

There were no injuries to any of the 51 passengers or 47 crew on board.

The Feronia, which left Birkenhead at approximately 11.45am on Wednesday morning, was able to continue its journey and berth in Belfast shortly after the incident occurred.

According to media reports both vessels sustained damage.

Bangor and Donaghadee RNLI lifeboats were called out in response to the incident. RNLI Bangor lifeboat launched at 7.15 pm to assist with damage control and assessment. Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat was out on a training exercise when it was requested at 7.45pm to also attend the scene of the collision.

The Equasis data base shows that the 1,543 dwt, 1985-built Union Moon flies the Cook Island flag, is classified by a non-IACS classification body and has had an 11.1 percent detention rate in inspections carried out in the last 36 months. It is managed by Continental Ship Management of Karmsund, Norway, and the registered owner is Norswede Shipping KS, which gives its address as in care of Continental Ship Management.

March 8, 2012