Coast Guard Arrests Containership Captain for Severe Intoxication
On August 20th, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) took the captain of the MSC Jubilee IX, a 333-meter Liberian-flagged containership docked at Terminal 5 in Seattle, into custody after discovering he was operating the vessel while intoxicated at more than six times the legal limit for commercial mariners.
A Puget Sound pilot aboard the MSC Jubilee IX first recognized signs of impairment in the vessel’s captain. Acting swiftly, the pilot coordinated with the ship’s first mate to safely operate the massive containership during its transit from an anchorage near Everett to Terminal 5 at the Port of Seattle.
Upon mooring at Terminal 5, a Coast Guard boarding team and CGIS agents initiated a boarding and port state control examination. After a field sobriety and breathalyzer test, the captain was then arrested and transported by CGIS to the King County Jail, where charges were referred to the King County Prosecutor for boating under the influence.
Containerships represent some of the largest moving objects in maritime commerce, capable of causing catastrophic damage if not properly controlled. The pilot’s professional judgment and quick intervention likely prevented what could have been a disaster with devastating consequences.
“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.
For vessel operators, crew members, and maritime legal practitioners, this incident serves as a reminder that working on the water demands nothing less than complete professional competence and sobriety from those entrusted with these massive vessels for the safety of our waterways.
8/27/2025
