The Bernis: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

Vadim Humenyuk, the Ukrainian captain of the vessel 'Rainbow Quest', has admitted to being intoxicated while preparing the ship for its voyage to South Korea from San Francisco Bay. This incident occurred during a refueling stop. Captain Marie Byrd of the U.S. Coast Guard highlighted the vital teamwork involved in ensuring maritime safety, stating, "I appreciate the outstanding collaboration from the San Francisco Bar Pilots, Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Attorney's office for ensuring safety on our waters, and protecting the maritime public, property, and environment." On December 10, 2019, a Bar pilot alerted the Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Service about Humenyuk's impaired state. Subsequently, U.S. Coast Guard investigators conducted a sobriety test late that evening, followed by a second test the next morning, both of which the captain failed. Humenyuk has been charged with operating a non-recreational vessel under the influence of alcohol, a violation of 46 USC 2302(c), categorized as a Class A misdemeanor. He is scheduled for sentencing on January 3, 2020, and could face up to one year in prison, a potential fine of $100,000, and an additional year of supervised release.

On the night of November 7, 2014, the cargo vessel 'Rainbow Quest' made contact with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. when the ship, navigating southward on the East River, collided with the lower section of the bridge, resulting in a significant disruption of vehicular traffic for roughly two hours. In the hours following the incident, Department of Transportation personnel were dispatched to the bridge to assess the extent of the damage while an NYPD Harbor Patrol boat monitored the area below. This unexpected allision raised concerns about navigational safety and bridge integrity in one of the busiest maritime routes in the city.

On April 27, 2012, at 9 a.m., the vessel "Rainbow Quest," located approximately 22 nautical miles off the coast of Brest, reached out to the MRCC Corsen due to a concerning medical situation. The ship's Russian chief engineer was experiencing severe abdominal pain while en route to the Mediterranean. In response to the emergency, an EC 225 Navy helicopter was dispatched, carrying a dedicated medical team from the Army Medical Service, following a consultation with the medical advisory center in Toulouse. The medical crew successfully airlifted the suffering sailor, who was secured on a stretcher and transported aboard the EC-225 fleet 32F. By 11 a.m., the patient received urgent treatment from the skilled medical personnel at the hospital de la Cavale Blance in Brest. For additional images and footage of this dramatic rescue, visit: http://www.premar-atlantique.gouv.fr/galeries/Rainbow-Quest.