A Dutch general cargoship grounded off the UK last year because its drunk Russian master left the bridge unattended, an accident report has revealed.

The VD Innovation-managed, 3,600-dwt Ruyter (built 2006) got stuck off Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland, on 10 October, damaging bow shell plating and frames, resulting in the flooding of the bow thruster space and forward voids.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found that no action had been taken to correct a deviation from the ship’s planned track.