Towing Company to Pay $10M for Spill

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued a Press Release stating the Bouchard Transportation Co. was sentenced to pay a $10 million fine in connection with the oil spill in Buzzards Bay on April 27, 2003. A loaded tank barge being towed by a company tug grounded while outside the channel. The tug and barge were outside the channel because the mate on duty had left the pilothouse unmanned. The company was aware of repeated concerns raised about the mate’s competency. Charges were brought under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Of the total fine, $7 million will be used to fund eligible wetlands conservation projects in the Buzzards Bay vicinity and $2 million will be directed to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. The remaining $1 million will be suspended and only imposed if the company fails to comply with conditions of its probation. Source: HK Law