The captain of the Maltese-registered freighter Laconia has been taken into custody by the US Coast Guard in Astoria because his blood alcohol level was beyond the legal limit.

US media reported that open alcohol containers were also found in his cabin.

The 738-foot freighter was already being inspected as it was preparing to travel up the Columbia River when Coast Guard officials arrived. The customs agents told the Coast Guard team they suspected the unidentified captain was intoxicated.

Two breathalyser tests were administered and the captain's blood-alcohol level was above .04, the legal limit for commercial vessel operators.

The capted was handed over to the Coast Guard Investigative Service. He will be taken to a federal detention center in Portland.

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