Master Convicted of Operating Vessel While Under Influence of Alcohol

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida has stated that the master of the M/V Perseverance was convicted of operating a commercial vessel while under the influence of alcohol. According to information provided in court, John F. Fenty is captain of M/V Perseverance, a 164-foot coastal freighter. On January 22, 2003, Fenty was navigating the vessel through the Port of Miami while intoxicated. United States Coast Guard regulations prohibit the operation of commercial vessels by anyone with a blood alcohol content exceeding .04. The results of the breathalyzer administered to Fenty indicated he had a blood alcohol level of .155. The breathalyzer test administered by the U.S. Coast Guard indicated he had a blood alcohol level of 0.155. It is a violation of federal law to operate a commercial vessel with a blood alcohol level exceeding 0.04. The master was sentenced to two years' probation and required to participate in an alcohol treatment program.