The captain of a massive container ship was piloting his vessel while drunk before docking in Seattle, the Coast Guard has determined.
The unnamed captain of the MSC Jubilee IX was detained shortly after bringing the ship into port last Wednesday, according to a Coast Guard press release on Saturday.
His blood-alcohol level was more than six times the legal commercial boating limit of 0.04%, investigators said. That also would put him more than three times over the legal limit to drive a car.
“The Coast Guard is proud to ensure the safety and security of the maritime transportation system,” Coast Guard agent Paul Shultz said. The arrest “mitigated significant risks and ensured the safe passage of the vessel.”
A local Puget Sound pilot helping the massive MSC Jubilee dock notified the Coast Guard that the pilot appeared to be drunk, according to authorities. That led Coast Guard investigators to give him a breathalyzer test.
The captain was transferred to the custody of local authorities, who will decide whether to pursue charges of boating under the influence.
The MSC Jubilee IX was not damaged in the incident. It arrived in Seattle from nearby Everett, Wash., and remained at the port for nearly two days. The ship was given a relief captain and embarked on its next journey, to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, on Friday, according to online tracking data. The ship is scheduled to arrive in the small town near the southern tip of Alaska on Monday.
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