Coast Guard Finds Drugs During Vessel Safety Inspection
U. S. Coast Guard
January 26, 2005
SEATTLE - The Coast Guard conducted a safety inspection of a 48-foot commercial fishing vessel Monday afternoon in Westport, Wash., resulting in the arrest of a crewmember for methamphetamine possession.
A boarding team from Station Grays Harbor boarded the vessel entering Westport, and conducted an identification check of the fishing vessel Baranof Queen's crew.
During the boarding a Coastguardsman identified what looked like paraphernalia in the possession of a crewman. Further testing of the scorched pen tube revealed the presence of methamphetamine.
The master of the Baranof Queen indicated that his policy was not to allow crewmen to use drugs or alcohol aboard the vessel. He consented to a search of the vessel where further evidence of methamphetamine use was found.
Although the crewmember initially denied ownership of the pen, he ultimately took responsibility when he was notified that a citation would be issued to the master. The Westport Police took the crewman to the Grays Harbor County Jail.
Operating any vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol is dangerous. It is especially so for commercial fisherman who work around dangerous equipment, often in harsh weather.
People who use drugs while operating vessels place themselves, their shipmates and other mariners in danger. Anyone who operates a vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol may receive a civil penalty of $5,500, or a criminal penalty of $100,000, imprisonment for one year, or both.
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