Drunk captain delays sailing

File photo / Paul Estcourt

A cargo ship's trip from Wellington to Tauranga on Thursday was delayed when port staff discovered it's master was too drunk to sail.

Maritime New Zealand cancelled the sailing and confirmed the Tasman Pathfinder's master had been found drunk but would not release his name.

Wellington harbourmaster Mike Pryce told the Timaru Herald the master was extremely drunk.

"I understand he was conscious but not well."

A replacement master was flown out from Japan, where the company that owns the 177-metre cargo ship is based and it was due to leave for Tauranga today.

Disciplinary action would be left to the ship's owners.

- NZPA