Coast Guard Hearing Office News

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Puget Sound investigating officers initiated civil penalties, Friday, against four individuals who entered an established safety-zone around a Shell-contracted vessel in Bellingham during Memorial Day weekend. Cody Erdman, Chiara D’Angelo, Paul Adler and Matthew Fuller were cited in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations for entry into or staying in a federally-regulated safety zone between May 22 and 24. USCG officials can seek a maximum civil penalty of $40,000 for each entry into the zone or day the individuals violated the zone. The final penalty will be determined by the Coast Guard Hearing Office in Arlington, Va. Hearing officers will be assigned and provide the individuals an opportunity to refute the charges or provide evidence on their behalf.

According to pacificnewscenter.com, The United States Coast Guard filed three notice of violations (NOV) and imposed penalties amounting to $8,000 against the owner of a barge that ran aground in Agana last month. Inter Bay Circle Marine, Inc. was given 45 days to comply with the NOVs or the case will be turned over to the US Coast Guard Hearing Office in Arlington, Virgina for further investigation.

The Coast Guard has expanded the scope of the Notice of Violation (NOV) program, building upon the success of the existing program in place since 1995. The NOV program is an expedited civil penalty assessment process that allows parties to pay the proposed penalty without further administrative process. The Coast Guard has also recently announced that it will be adjusting its fines and other civil monetary penalties for inflation. The changes to the monetary civil penalties for inflation are mandated by Congress at least once every four years. The changes to the NOV program took effect on January 5. Since its implementation, the NOV program has been used as the civil penalty process for small oil spills and minor pollution prevention regulation violations.