A 100-year-old cargo ship ran aground in the Åland archipelago off the southwest coast of Finland early on Friday morning after its captain fell asleep.
The 50-meter-long, 1923-built cargo vessel Leonie ran aground while on its way from Godby to Naantal loaded with grain. The cargo on the ship consists of 800 cu mof oats and six cu m of light fuel oil in the tanks.
ran aground while on its way from Godby to Naantal loaded with grain. The cargo on the ship consists of 800 cu mof oats and six cu m of light fuel oil in the tanks.The ship only has a crew of three and upon grounding started leaking water but was in no danger of sinking.
Captain David Saari was in charge of the ship’s controls at the time and fell asleep resulting in the grounding of a piece of Finland’s still functioning maritime history.
According to Finnish media, Saari is suspected of drunkenness in maritime traffic as an administered breathalyser test showed over 0.5 parts per thousand of alcohol. A blood sample was also taken to confirm the test. The maximum permissible blood alcohol level in commercial maritime traffic is 0.5.
Saari is also suspected of failure to observe good seamanship as he fell asleep at the helm when the grounding occurred.
Sea Lake Shipping, the owner of the Leonie, contacted Greta Cargo Oy to send a nearby vessel to unload approximately half of the cargo so that the vessel could return to sea from the ground it was on. The cargo taken from the ship was taken to Naantal. Part of the load was damaged while the vessel was taking on water.
During Saturday afternoon, divers were able to repair the damage to the grounded ship and enable it to set off for Hummelvik on its own power.
Once the vessel arrived at Hummelvik early on Saturday evening, the rest of the grain was unloaded, and further repairs began so that the 100-year-old could return to its home port.
The Leonie was previously called Greta and previously transported sand and gravel. The vessel was Finland’s last sand barge. The Norway-built ship was upgraded several times during its long life. When the vessel was bought two years ago, Sea Lake Shipping installed a crane and cargo hatches.
‘Saari is suspected of drunkenness’ A Finn drinking? Shirley Knot!
“A crew of three”
Incredible…….
What did he drink?
Finlandia , Carlsberg ?
Maybe he was tired of crew cuts.
I guess the vikings know how to built ships that last 100 years.
Pretty cool
Hmm did not see any mention of discipline or police actions against the captain? Other than revealing he was at the minimum level 0.5% for alcohol laws? Story seems incomplete maybe I didn’t read it right?