A fishing vessel captain in his 50s, who not only operated a ship while intoxicated but also attempted the so-called 'drinking trick,' has been referred to the prosecution.
On the 1st, Jeju Maritime Police Agency sent 50-year-old Captain A, who operates a 20-ton coastal longline fishing vessel, to the prosecution on charges of operating a ship while intoxicated (violation of the Maritime Safety Act).
Captain A is accused of operating the vessel in a state of heavy intoxication around 11:30 a.m. on the 17th of last month within Hallim Port, Jeju City. It was confirmed that Captain A's blood alcohol concentration was 0.209%, far exceeding the license cancellation standard for maritime operators (0.08% or higher).
However, Captain A initially denied part of the charges, claiming, "After docking the fishing vessel, I bought and drank five cans of beer at a convenience store, which caused the high blood alcohol concentration reading." But after the maritime police reviewed nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV), it was found that Captain A did not drink the beer purchased at the convenience store. It appears that Captain A attempted the 'drinking trick,' drinking alcohol just before the breathalyzer test to interfere with the measurement.
Eventually, Captain A admitted to the charges, saying, "I lied because I was worried about receiving a heavier penalty due to the high blood alcohol concentration."
Meanwhile, under the Maritime Safety Act, operating a vessel while intoxicated can result in imprisonment for one to two years or a fine ranging from 10 million to 20 million won.
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