Haldensleben (dpa/sa) - The water police pulled a drunk skipper at the wheel of a barge on the Mittelland Canal in Haldensleben (Börde district) out of circulation. According to witness reports, the 73-year-old had difficulties safely mooring the 57-meter-long motorized cargo ship on Tuesday, the water police said. He was apparently heavily intoxicated and staggered. Officials found the man at the scene sleeping below decks. A breath alcohol test carried out showed a value of 2.57 per thousand. The officials issued a temporary driving ban. The man must now expect a criminal complaint for drunkenness in shipping traffic.