Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Samoa-Chief

In a recent turn of events, the bulk carrier 'Shansi' departed from Whangarei with a replacement captain due to its original commander facing legal issues. Anthony Michael Baker, aged 53, attended the Whangarei District Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to violating the special blood alcohol limit mandated by the Maritime Transport Act 1994, section 40c. The English seafarer registered a staggering 1345 micrograms of alcohol per liter of breath—over five times the permissible limit of 250 micrograms shortly after docking at Northport on August 4. Baker, who had been recruited from England to command the 'Shansi', which is operated by China Navigation Company Limited, also recognized as Swire Shipping, piloted the vessel from Port of Tauranga to Whangarei Heads before the ship anchored at sea for two days awaiting its designated berth at Northport, arriving around 9 a.m. The 'Shansi', manned by a crew of 28, encountered complications when a pilot boat and crew were dispatched to aid its berthing, with difficulties arising in starting the vessel's engine and raising its anchor. The crew faced challenges locating Baker initially; however, upon eventual communication, concerns about his potential alcohol consumption were raised. The authorities were alerted at approximately 2:30 p.m., leading to Baker's transport to the Whangarei Police Station where he recorded an alarming breath alcohol level. During police questioning, Baker admitted to consuming wine, struggling to recall the timing of his drinking, though he stated he had his last drink at around 9 a.m. on August 4. His attorney, Nick Leader, argued that Baker was off-duty and unaware of the ship's anchoring complications but did take over navigation without incident upon notification. Following a long career spanning 37 years, including two decades with China Navigation Company Limited, Baker's challenges intensified with his drinking escalating since last year, notably after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2005. Judge Keith de Ridder imposed a fine of $3000, along with an additional $130 in court costs. The 'Shansi' set out from Northport on August 6, as Brodie Stevens, the general manager of commercial operations for Swire Shipping, confirmed that Baker has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.

In a recent court appearance, the captain of the 'Shansi' faced significant legal challenges following a breath alcohol test that revealed a staggering 1345 micrograms, which is over five times the permissible limit for maritime operators. This incident occurred on August 5 at the Whangarei District Court, leading to a conviction and a fine of $3,000 NZD. The 'Shansi' had been anchored and awaiting to berth at Northport for almost a week before the incident transpired. Although the Vessels were expected to dock for cargo loading on August 4, the captain failed to maintain sobriety during this critical period. While a crew was present on board, the ship itself remained empty, raising serious concerns about operational safety. The China Navigation Company Limited, commonly referred to as Swire Shipping, has a strict policy that prohibits seafarers from operating vessels or any ship's equipment while under the influence of alcohol. A representative of the company refrained from providing additional comments as the case continues to unfold in the judicial system.

On August 4, 2017, a routine pilot operation turned alarming when a pilot navigating the container ship 'Shansi' to its docking station at Marsden Point, located on the northwest coast of New Zealand's North Island, alerted the authorities regarding potential intoxication of the ship's captain. Following the pilot's concerns, local police intervened and administered a breathalyzer test that confirmed suspicions—the 53-year-old captain, hailing from Devon, England, registered an alarmingly high blood alcohol level. The captain faced the Whangarei District Court on the morning of August 5, where he was placed on bail and is scheduled for another court appearance on August 7. As per the ship's records, 'Shansi' successfully docked at Marsden Point at 5:30 a.m. on August 5, after departing from Tauranga on July 31.