May 16, 2008 7:51 pm US/Pacific
CoCo Tugboat Crash Crew Fired For Drinking
MARTINEZ (CBS 5) ―
On Friday, CBS 5 learned on Friday that three members of the boat crew that crashed into a refinery pier near Martinez on Wednesday have been fired.
AmNav Maritime spokesman Sam Sacco told CBS 5 the company wasted no time taking disciplinary action after discovering the crew had been drinking while on duty.
"They have been terminated. They violated the policy as it applies to alcohol," said Sacco.
The tugboat slammed into the Tesoro Oil Refinery pier in Martinez early Wednesday morning. A pipeline was damaged, and five to ten gallons of gasoline spilled.
The Coast Guard said that the crew had veered 25 to 50 yards off course. Following the crash, the captain refused to take a breathalyzer test, but the other crew members did. Now, the tugboat company says all three had been drinking.
"They shared information with the company," said Sacco, "and it was determined all three had alcohol. Not on the vessel, but on shore, and that was a breach of policy."
CBS 5 has also learned from two independent sources that the tugboat captain, identified by the Coast Guard as Brian Kent Stanley of Washington State, has a history of on-the-job drinking problems.
"I can't address that," said Sacco. "In terms of what that captain's record was, I don't have that information. Once it was pointed out he breached the company policy he was terminated."
Sacco said he could not reveal personnel issues because of privacy concerns, but did emphasize the company was disappointed the crew had been drinking while still on the clock.
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