The Coast Guard arrests the commander of the MSC Jubilee IX in Seattle: six times over the legal limit
Seattle – The US Coast Guard arrested the commander of the container ship MSC Jubilee IX (8,814 TEU) on charges of operating the vessel while intoxicated. The incident occurred at Terminal 5 of the port of Seattle, after a Puget Sound maritime pilot reported suspicious behavior by the captain during navigation.
According to reports, the pilot and the first officer took control of the ship during the transit from the anchorage near Everett to the berth, completing the maneuver without incident.
Upon completion of the docking, a team from the Coast Guard and agents from the Coast Guard Investigative Service conducted an inspection, subjecting the commander to sobriety tests and a breathalyzer. The results showed an alcohol level more than six times the legal limit for mariners.
The captain was transferred to the King County jail and referred to the local prosecutor on charges of operating a vessel under the influence. The ship was temporarily detained until a replacement commander arrived, after which it was able to resume regular operations.
