A container ship captain has been arrested, accused of working the vessel whereas drunk with a blood alcohol content material stage six occasions the restrict for mariners.
The captain of the MSC Jubilee IX — a 333-meter container ship working below the Liberian flag — was arrested Wednesday in Seattle, the Coast Guard mentioned in a information launch Saturday. The captain’s identify was not disclosed.
A Puget Sound pilot aboard the ship had reported to the Coast Guard watchstanders that the captain was “exhibiting indicators of intoxication.” The pilot and first mate operated the vessel from close to Everett, Washington, to the Port of Seattle “with out incident,” the discharge mentioned.
After the ship moored at Terminal 5, a Coast Guard workforce and Coast Guard Investigative Service brokers boarded the vessel.
The captain accomplished a subject sobriety and breathalyzer take a look at, “which discovered that he was impaired greater than six occasions the authorized restrict for business mariners,” the guard mentioned.
Beneath federal regulation, an individual working a vessel aside from a leisure vessel with a blood alcohol focus of .04% or extra is taken into account to be below the affect.
The captain was arrested and transported to the King County Jail. Fees have been referred to the King County Prosecutor for boating below the affect, and the case stays below investigation. The prosecutor’s workplace didn’t instantly return a request for remark.
The vessel was given a aid captain and has since been cleared to renew operations, the Coast Guard mentioned.
“The Coast Guard is proud to make sure the protection and safety of the maritime transportation system,” Paul Shultz, Particular Agent in Cost of the CGIS Northwest Area Workplace, mentioned in a press release. “The Pilot’s quick intervention mitigated vital dangers and ensured the secure passage of the vessel.”
