The US Coast Guard has detained the master of a large containership after he was found operating under the influence while approaching the Port of Seattle. The incident underscores ongoing concerns over safety in global shipping operations.
The vessel in question, the MSC Jubilee IX, a 108,770 dwt containership with capacity for 8,800 TEU, had arrived from Busan, South Korea, with a stop in Vancouver before heading toward Seattle. Built in 2008 and registered in Liberia, the ship recently joined the MSC fleet in March 2025.
On August 20, a Puget Sound pilot boarded the ship to guide it from anchorage to Terminal 5 at the Port of Seattle. During the maneuver, the pilot noticed the captain displaying signs of intoxication and immediately alerted USCG Sector Puget Sound. The pilot and first mate assumed operational control and completed the transit safely without incident.
Once docked, Coast Guard officers and investigators boarded the vessel for a port state control examination. A field sobriety and breathalyzer test confirmed that the master was more than six times over the legal alcohol limit for commercial mariners. He was arrested on the spot and transferred to King County Jail, with charges referred for boating under the influence.
The vessel was detained until a relief captain was appointed and approved by authorities. It was later cleared to sail on August 22, continuing to Prince Rupert, Canada, before resuming its voyage to Yantian, China.
This case mirrors a January 2024 incident involving another MSC vessel, the MSC Roshney V, where the Polish master was arrested in Felixstowe, UK, after being found nearly four times over the legal alcohol limit. He later admitted guilt in court, received a suspended sentence, and acknowledged that his maritime career had come to an end.
The latest arrest once again highlights the importance of strict safety enforcement and vigilance in global shipping, especially when it comes to crew conduct and vessel command.