Plead Guilty

Owner of Gaming Vessel Pleads Guilty

The U.S. Department of Justice has stated that the owner of a gaming vessel based out of Port Aransas, Texas, pleaded guilty in federal court to obstructing a Coast Guard investigation into whether the ship had illegally discharged waste oil and deliberately bypassed its pollution prevention equipment. The ship’s chief engineer also pleaded guilty to making false statements to the Coast Guard regarding existence of tank sounding records and then attempting to destroy the records. Under the terms of the proposed plea agreement, the owner will pay a criminal fine of $300,000 and institute an environmental compliance program. Sentencing is scheduled for April 25. Source: HK Law

U.S. Freight Forwarder Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges

A Kirkland, Wash.-based freight forwarder involved in the military's program for shipping household goods of military and civilian Department of Defense (DOD) personnel between the U.S. and foreign countries pleaded guilty to criminal offenses related to its participation in that program, the Department of Justice announced today. Criminal charges were filed today in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., against Air Van Lines International Inc. (AVLC). Under the terms of a

News: OMI Pleads Guilty to Illegal Dump, To Pay $4.2M Fine

The U.S. Department of Justice said that OMI Corporation pleaded guilty to preparing false documents in an effort to cover up the illegal dumping of thousands of gallons of waste oil and sludge at sea. OMI also agreed to pay a $4.2 million fine and serve three years probation. A ship captain and chief engineer previously pled guilty in connection with the case. The ship involved in the case, the Motor Tanker Guadalupe, owned and operated by wholly owned subsidiaries of OMI Corporation

Shipping Company Pleads Guilty

MARMARAS NAVIGATION LTD, a Greek operator of a fleet of ocean going vessels transporting products around the world, recently plead guilty to a felony violation of the "Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships" for improperly documenting the handling of oily waste aboard the marine vessel ("M/V") Agia Eirini. MARMARAS pleaded guilty to a felony violation for failing to maintain proper records associated with the ship's handling of its waste oil

Master Convicted for Going the Wrong Way

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency issued a Press Notice stating that the master of a cargo ship pled guilty to entering and proceeding over 14.5 miles in the wrong direction in the Dover Straits Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). The maneuver caused one vessel to take evasive action and resulted in six close quarters situations. The master was fined £14,000, plus £6,042 costs. (HK Law).

Bulk Carrier Dumped Garbage in Marine Park

Bulk carrier 'Pantanal' owners & master fined for dumping food waste near Australia's Great Barrier Reef The master and owner of a ship that dumped garbage in the Great Barrier Reef marine park have been fined according to a Ninemsn Both pleaded guilty in the Townsville Magistrates Court to illegally dumping food waste from the Antiguan bulk carrier Pantanal in the park in July last year. The ship's master was fined $500, while the owner was fined $5000.

Owner of Ship Repair Facility Convicted of CWA Violation

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a press release stating that the ex-owner of a now-closed Newport, Oregon ship repair facility pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the Clean Water Act. The company renovated and painted ships by pressure washing and sand blasting the hulls. The owner allowed grit and paint from his operation to be discharged into the Yaquina River. When sentenced, the owner faces a maximum sentence of up to three years imprisonment and a fine of up

Owner and Operator Sentenced to $1m Fine

The US Department of Justice said that the owner and operator of a foreign freighter pleaded guilty to violation of federal law by illegally discharging waste oil while bypassing the ship’s oily water separator and making false entries in the ship’s oil record book. The owner and operator were sentenced to pay a fine of $1 million, make a community service payment of $250,000, and implement a court-monitored environmental compliance program.

Engineers Sentenced for Pollution

The US Department of Justice siad that two engineering officers have been sentenced after pleading guilty to presenting a falsified oil record book to the US Coast Guard. The chief engineer was sentenced to five months in prison and two months supervised release during which he may not serve as an engineering officer on a ship in US waters. The second engineer was sentenced to three years probation during which he may not serve as an engineering officer on a ship in US waters.

Ferry Captain Sentenced for Fraudulent License

The US Coast Guard said that a man formerly employed as a ferry captain was sentenced to five months of confinement, followed by three years of supervised release, after he pled guilty to utilizing a fraudulent USCG master’s license and to making false statements to the federal government. Source: HK Law