According to a report from the U.S. Department of Justice, another case of violation of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) has surfaced after a whistleblower reported it to the U.S. Coast Guard.
On August 25 local time, ship management company V. Ships Norway pleaded guilty to this violation and was fined $2 million.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson emphasized the seriousness of such violations: “Discharging oily wastewater into our coastal waters is not only illegal but also poses significant risks to health and the environment. When crew members attempt to cover up their misconduct by falsifying records, we are committed to addressing such irresponsible behavior.”
An investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice found that between February and August 2022, a improperly connected hose on the Marshall Islands-flagged product tanker “Swift Winchester” allowed oily waste from the incinerator to be diverted into the sewage storage tank, which was subsequently discharged illegally into the sea.
A ship engineer reported suspicious activity regarding oil pollution in the sewage tank to a supervisor at V. Ships Norway. An internal investigation confirmed improper operations during its voyages.
In August 2022, after a new chief engineer was appointed, ship engineers improperly cleaned the Oil Water Separator (OWS) filter, causing oily wastewater to be discharged into the sea through deck scuppers, resulting in another violation.
During an inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard’s Port of Beaumont Marine Safety Unit, a crew member provided evidence of these illegal discharges through photos and videos.
On August 25, 2022, the product tanker “Swift Winchester” entered Baton Rouge, and on September 7, it entered Port Arthur, where it was charged with maintaining false records in its Oil Record Book.
V. Ships Norway admitted that oily bilge water and other wastes were illegally discharged without proper documentation.
It is reported that since these incidents occurred, the ship’s ownership has changed hands twice. It now operates under a different name and flag.
Compiled by Shipping Online.
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