Spanish Court Sentences Prestige Master to Prison Term
Spain's Supreme Court sentenced the captain of the Prestige oil tanker, which sank off Spain's northwestern coast in 2002, covering thousands of kilometres of coastline in fuel oil, to two years in prison on Tuesday. The captain, Apostolos Mangouras, was convicted of recklessness resulting in catastrophic environmental damage, according to a statement by the court, overturning a previous sentence which cleared him of criminal responsibility. The sinking of the Greek tanker, which was sailing to Gibraltar, released an estimated 63,000 tones of foul-smelling black fuel along the Galicia coast and forced the closure of the country's richest fishing grounds.
London Club to Post $3.2M Bail For Prestige Captain
The London P&I Club has agreed to provide the $3.2 million bail required for release of Captain Apostolos Mangouras, master of the Prestige, from the high-security Spanish jail in which he has been incarcerated for more than two months. indeed". this occasion. considerations. personal risk to do his duty in very difficult circumstances. "The level of bail is offensive, in the context of the captain's situation. cornerstone of society. less than a third of the bail required from Capt Mangouras. this occasion. avoided in the future. Spanish coast. London Club.
Prestige Captain Freed from Spanish Jail
Apostolos Mangouras, the captain of the tanker, Prestige, was freed from jail after London P&I posted $3.2 million for bail. Mangouras, 68, has been held in jail in Spain close to three months pending trial on charges of causing pollution and disobeying orders from maritime authorities. The London Protection and Indemnity Club which insured the Prestige paid the bail voluntarily, saying the Greek captain was a hero who risked his life in an effort to save the ship.
