The US Coast Guard detained the captain of a containership in Seattle after a pilot reported signs of intoxication during the vessel's transit. (Northwest Seaport Alliance file photo)

Published August 23, 2025, 4:26 PM by The Maritime Executive

On August 20, the US Coast Guard arrested the captain of the MSC Jubilee IX, a 108,770 dwt containership with an 8,800 TEU capacity, after a pilot observed signs of intoxication while guiding the vessel to Seattle’s Terminal 5. The ship, registered in Liberia and built in 2008, had recently joined the MSC fleet in March 2025 after traveling from Busan, South Korea, via Vancouver, Canada.

The Puget Sound pilot, who boarded the vessel at an anchorage near Everett, Washington, alerted the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound about the captain’s impaired behavior. With assistance from the first mate, the pilot safely navigated the ship to port without incident. Upon docking, a Coast Guard boarding team, accompanied by the Coast Guard Investigative Service, conducted a port state control inspection and administered a field sobriety test and breathalyzer. The tests confirmed the captain’s impairment, revealing a blood alcohol level over six times the legal limit for commercial mariners.

The captain was taken to King County Jail, where charges for operating a vessel under the influence were referred to the King County Prosecutor. The MSC Jubilee IX remained detained until a replacement captain was appointed. The vessel was cleared to resume its journey on August 22, departing Seattle for Prince Rupert, Canada, and Yantian, China.

This case echoes a January 2024 incident in Felixstowe, UK, where the captain of another MSC vessel, MSC Roshney V, was detained for intoxication. The Polish national’s blood alcohol level was nearly four times the legal limit, leading to a guilty plea, a suspended sentence, and a fine. He expressed regret, stating his maritime career was likely over.