The captain of a Liberian-flagged containership has been arrested on suspicion of operating the vessel while intoxicated following a boarding at Terminal 5 in Seattle, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound were alerted by a Puget Sound Pilot aboard the 1,094' MSC Jubilee IX, who reported that the vessel’s captain was showing signs of intoxication. The pilot and first mate assumed control of the vessel and navigated it safely from an anchorage near Everett, Wash., to Terminal 5 at the Port of Seattle.
After the vessel moored, a Coast Guard boarding team and Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) agents conducted a boarding and port state control examination. The captain underwent a field sobriety and breathalyzer test, which revealed a blood alcohol level more than six times the legal limit for commercial mariners.
The captain was taken into custody and transported to King County Jail. Charges were referred to the King County Prosecutor for boating under the influence.
The vessel was detained until a relief captain was identified and approved. It has since been cleared to resume operations.
"The Coast Guard is proud to ensure the safety and security of the maritime transportation system,” said Paul Shultz, special agent in charge, CGIS Northwest Field Office. “The Pilot’s immediate intervention mitigated significant risks and ensured the safe passage of the vessel."
The incident remains under investigation.
