The U.S. Coast Guard has arrested the captain of the container ship MSC Jubilee IX in Seattle after discovering he was operating the vessel while intoxicated, with a blood alcohol level more than six times higher than the legal limit for commercial mariners.
The arrest happened on August 20, 2025, after a Puget Sound pilot reported the captain appeared drunk. The pilot and the ship’s first mate then guided the vessel safely from Everett to Terminal 5 at the Port of Seattle.
Once the vessel was moored, a Coast Guard boarding team along with agents from the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) boarded the ship to carry out a port state control examination.
During the inspection, the captain underwent a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer test, both of which confirmed he was heavily impaired.
Under federal law, any person operating a non-recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or more is considered under the influence. Authorities said the captain’s level was over six times that limit.
The captain, whose name was not disclosed, was arrested and transported by CGIS agents to the King County Jail. The case was referred to the King County Prosecutor’s Office for boating under the influence.
Following the arrest, the Coast Guard detained the ship until a relief captain was identified and confirmed. The vessel was later released and resumed operations.
According to voyage details, the 108,770-dwt ship, with a capacity of 8,800 TEU, had sailed from Busan, South Korea, with a stop in Vancouver, Canada, before arriving at Everett. After leaving Seattle on August 22, it continued its scheduled journey to Prince Rupert, Canada, before heading to Yantian, China.
The MSC Jubilee IX, built in 2008 and operating under the Liberian flag, joined the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) fleet in March 2025. The ship measures 333 meters in length.
Paul Shultz, Special Agent in Charge at the CGIS Northwest Field Office, said the pilot’s quick action significantly reduced risks and ensured the safe arrival of the vessel at port.
The Coast Guard confirmed the matter remains under investigation.
This case follows a similar incident in January 2024, where the captain of another MSC containership, MSC Roshney V, was arrested for intoxication in Felixstowe, UK. The Polish master tested nearly four times over the limit, pleaded guilty, and received a suspended sentence and fine, saying his career at sea was effectively over.
Reference: USCG
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