Harbour master calls for sailor drug, alcohol tests

A Northern Territory harbour master wants legislation to be changed to allow random drug and alcohol testing for people controlling domestic ships.

Federal legislation only allows marine authorities to conduct breath tests on internationally registered boats.

Darwin harbour master Bruce Wilson says representatives from the commercial fishing and shipping industries are preparing a report for the Territory Government on the issue.

Mr Wilson says unsafe behaviour is happening on domestic commercial ships and it needs to be stopped by random breath tests.

"We obviously see people [who have] been reported by the public, boarding their vessels under the influence of alcohol," he said.

"And at that stage we would like to have the powers to have them from sailing."

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 6th January 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au
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Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation