Local Yacht Skipper in Trouble for Drunk Boating

Last week, a local yacht skipper found himself in trouble with the police in Rostock for drunk boating and endangering marine traffic – not once, but twice.

It all started on a Wednesday when the skipper, operating an eight-meter sailboat, collided with a pier in Rostock’s harbor. The impact may have seemed minor, but the pier was located near a crucial turning point for ferry traffic. As a result, the ferry Skane had to abruptly halt its planned turn, creating a potentially hazardous situation. Luckily, no serious damage occurred to the ferry.

Although the yacht sustained only minor damage from the collision and did not take on water, the state water police decided to conduct a breathalyzer test on the 54-year-old skipper. The results revealed a blood alcohol level of approximately 0.3 percent (BAC), indicating severe intoxication. Consequently, the police pressed charges against him for endangering shipping.

While the investigation was ongoing, the skipper was released and allowed to return to his yacht. However, just two days later, his boat was spotted adrift in Dierkow Bay, heading towards the shore with no one visibly in control. Concerned citizens intervened by waking the skipper up and assisting in securing the boat.

Upon being tested again by the police, the skipper’s blood alcohol level was found to be around 0.1 percent (BAC) – lower than the previous measurement but still above Germany’s legal limit for drunk driving. This second incident led to an additional charge of endangering shipping traffic for the intoxicated skipper.