San Francisco

German Accused of Being Stowaway on Ship at Port of Oakland

A German national has been charged in federal court with sneaking onto a container ship at the Port of Oakland in the hopes of catching a ride to South Korea to be with his pregnant wife.

According to court documents, Andreas Guenther in September rowed in an inflatable raft through the port to the Hong Kong-registered Cosco Oceania.

He was able to board the ship undetected, but was discovered by crew members a short time later and removed by the Coast Guard.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday that Guenther has been charged with being a stowaway on a vessel.

Guenther reportedly told the Coast Guard that he attempted the oceanic voyage because his passport had expired, and he did not want to wait to get a new one before traveling to see his wife.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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