Crew says cruise ship captain isolated himself

Crew says cruise ship captain isolated himself
January 31, 2019 https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190131_02/

NHK has learned that the captain of a Japanese cruise ship that hit a pier in Guam last month exhibited unprofessional behavior in months prior to the collision.

The accident involving the Nippon Maru, operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line, took place on the night of December 30th. Both the vessel and the pier were damaged.

The captain was later found to have consumed alcohol beyond the limit set under Japanese law. He told authorities he drank after the accident to calm down.

NHK has learned that the crew of the vessel had reported to the company eyewitness accounts of the captain's behavior.

Crew members say the captain failed to answer when they knocked on the door to his room from around last July. He also reportedly failed to answer the telephone.

The transport ministry's safety board is set to look into the captain's behavior prior to the accident.

Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line has declined to comment.