A global ship management and maritime services company was ordered to pay $2 million for improperly discharging oily waste into the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Louisiana announced last week.
V.Ships Norway A.S. (V.SHIPS) pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships after dumping oil-contaminated waste into the waters and omitting the discharges from the Oil Record Book.
“The criminal prosecution of this case underlines our commitment to enforcing the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis for the Middle District of Louisiana. “The illegal discharge of bilge water and oily waste from vessels poses a significant threat to our waters and marine life and by holding those accountable who violate these standards, we send a clear message that we will not tolerate actions that endanger our environment.”
Coast Guard members from U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur conducted an examination, during which an engine room crewmember disclosed the discharges and provided photographic and video evidence documenting the illegal discharges. The M/T Swift Winchester entered Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Aug. 25, 2022, and Port Arthur, Texas, on Sept. 7, 2022, with a knowingly falsified Oil Record Book.
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service investigated the case.
Source: Department of Justice
Topics Pollution
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