Joseph Jeffrey Hazelwood ( born September 24 , 1946 ) is an American sailor . He was the captain of '' Exxon Valdez '' during its 1989 oil spill . He was accused of being intoxicated which contributed to the disaster , but was cleared of this charge at his 1990 trial after witnesses testified that he was sober around the time of the accident . Hazelwood was convicted of a lesser charge , negligent discharge of oil ( a misdemeanor ) , fined $ 50,000 , and sentenced to 1,000 hours of community service
1989 oil spill
Exxon Valdez oil spill
Joseph Hazelwood