Discover the Radbod: Ratings & Maritime News

On January 14, 2026, the captain of the cargo ship 'Radbod' was apprehended in the port of Bayonne after dangerously erratic navigation near Vieux-Boucau, prompting alarm among local fishing vessels. The vessel's maneuvers raised red flags as it approached fishing boats closely, ignoring distress signals from the Messanges lighthouse. For approximately 45 minutes, communication attempts made by authorities were met with silence. After the 'Radbod' finally docked in Bayonne, Maritime police boarded the ship and suspected the captain of being under the influence. A breathalyzer test confirmed their suspicions, revealing a blood alcohol concentration of 0.96 mg per liter of air, which translates to nearly two grams per liter in blood. The ship's first mate reported that he had to take over navigational control from the captain during the alarming situation. The captain, a Russian national, refuted the claims against him, but due to the incident's severity, he was arrested on multiple charges including operating a vessel while intoxicated and violating safety regulations. Notably, the Bordeaux public prosecutor's office has chosen to refer him to the Maritime Court, marking a significant case since the court's inception in 2014. Currently, he is under judicial supervision with a prohibition on serving as a ship's captain, awaiting his trial scheduled for March 13. The 'Radbod,' which departed from Bilbao and was transporting metals to the Netherlands, has been held stationary in Bayonne with its crew of eight—comprising six Ukrainians and two Filipinos—since January 20.