NIKI JO C

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Intoxicated master grounded tug

The 'Niki Jo C' drifted off course and ran aground outside the main channel of the Rappahannock River, on Nov. 14, 2019. Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads took expedited action to suspend the Merchant Mariner Credential of the ship’s captain on Dec. 4 after it was determined that he was operating the vessel under the influence of alcohol during an accident that caused the vessel to become grounded. The Coast Guard, the Virginia Marine Resource Commission, and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation that included testing the crew’s blood alcohol content to determine if alcohol was a causative factor. The results showed that the captain of the vessel was intoxicated at the time of the incident, with a BAC above the legal federal limit for operation of a commercial vessel of 0.04% as found in 33 CFR 95.020(b). The suspension will be for a period of 12 months, followed by a six month probation period, provided that the mariner satisfactorily completes all conditions of his settlement agreement. If he fails to complete or satisfy the conditions of his settlement agreement, then the credential will be permanently revoked.