Joseph Hazelwood

Joseph Jeffrey Hazelwood ( b. 1946 in Hawkingsville, Ga. ) was the captain of the Exxon Valdez, which ran in March 1989 off the coast of Alaska on a reef and caused one of the most momentous tanker accidents.

Life

Hazelwood grew up on the north shore of Long Iceland in Huntington, New York. His father Joseph (born about 1922) was a bomber pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps, which after the war had a job as a pilot on civilian airlines. His mother Margaret was born about 1920 in Georgia. Hazelwood was the firstborn son of the family. He has one brother, Matthew, and two other siblings. Hazelwood married Suzanne in 1969 and in 1976 their daughter Alison was born.

Hazelwood graduated in at Huntington High School. There was found in an IQ test, that his IQ is 138. As a youth he was an avid sailor and member of the Sea Scouts.

In May 1968 he graduated from the New York Maritime College to a Bachelor of Science transport by sea. At 32, he took over in 1978 as the youngest skipper of the Exxon fleet command of the Exxon Philadelphia.

Professional career

After graduating from college he entered on June 10, 1968 into professional life as a third mate in the Humble Oil and Refining Company ( later Exxon Shipping Company). His first ship was the Esso Florence ( home port of Wilmington, North Carolina). Hazelwood rose quickly and received in 1977 at the age of 31 his captain's license. The following year he was given command of the Exxon Philadelphia, an oil tanker on the route California - Alaska, and was the youngest captain of the Exxon fleet.

In 1985, he saved the Exxon Chester, an asphalt - transport ship, as a strong storm broke in two the mast of the tanker while driving from New York to South Carolina. In this case, the ship also lost the radar and radio antennas that were mounted on the mast. The crew was preparing already that ship to leave, as Hazelwood einredete on it and was able to convince to do everything possible to save the ship. This succeeded. As 1987 ( still as a removable Captain), Exxon Valdez stood and 1988 under his command, he and the ship an internal company safety and performance award.

Alcohol problem

Hazelwood was an alcoholic at this time. His driving license had been confiscated since 1984 three times for alcohol offenses from the state of New York. At the time of the Exxon Valdez accident he had after an inspection September 13, 1988 no driver's license because he was drunk driving the car.

Although he 1985 for addiction in the South Oaks Hospital in Amityville, New York, took part, he was then continuously monitored by Exxon, unsuccessfully, in this matter. After rehab, he was on leave and asked to meet 90 days with Alcoholics Anonymous. However, it is unknown whether he followed this call.

Exxon Valdez accident

The 42- year-old Joseph Hazelwood was at the time of the accident asleep in his bunk. Radio conversations with the Coast Guard shortly after emergence confirm that Hazelwood was under the influence of alcohol. Investigating officer of the Coast Guard who went hours after the Exxon Valdez accident on board, took advantage of strong smell of alcohol on Hazelwood.

Captain Hazelwood was arrested and a deposit of $ 500,000 set against him, which was later reduced to $ 25,000. He was acquitted of all charges in court because he has not been demonstrated criminal behavior. He was sentenced to a fine of $ 50,000 for illegal discharge of oil and got back his captain's license, which was, however, inhibited the subsequent 9 months. He could not find work more on a ship and eventually became an expert marine insurance.