Vincent Genovana News

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. If approved by the court, the plea agreement requires that MARMARAS pay a criminal fine of $200,000, develop and implement a comprehensive environmental compliance plan for its fleet of twenty-eight (28) ships that call on United States ports, and serve three (3) years on probation.

Höegh Fleet Services A/S, a Norwegian operator of a fleet of ocean going cargo ships, was sentenced to pay a $3.5 million fine for seven felony charges relating to the falsification of records concealing the intentional dumping of waste oil into the ocean. Previously, on September 25, 2003, Vincent Genovana, an engineering officer on the M/V Höegh Minerva, pleaded guilty to falsifying documents and covering up evidence in order to obstruct or influence a United States Coast Guard investigation. In addition to the fine, U.S. District Court Judge Ronald B. Leighton ordered Höegh Fleet Services A/S to develop and implement a comprehensive environmental compliance plan for its fleet of 38 vessels that call on U.S. ports, and serve four years on probation.

Höegh Fleet Services A/S was sentenced to pay a $3.5 million fine for seven felony charges relating to the falsification of records concealing the intentional dumping of waste oil into the ocean. Previously, on September 25, 2003, Vincent Genovana, an engineering officer on the M/V Höegh Minerva, pleaded guilty to falsifying documents and covering up evidence in order to obstruct or influence a U.S. Coast Guard investigation. In addition to the fine, U.S. District Court Judge Ronald B. Leighton ordered Höegh Fleet Services A/S to develop and implement a comprehensive environmental compliance plan for its fleet of 38 vessels that call on U.S. ports, and serve four years on probation.