Norwegian shipping company DSD Shipping (Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab AS) has been convicted of dumping oily and contaminated waste from theStavanger Blossom in the Gulf of Mexico in early 2010.
Guilty As Charged
Three of the crew were found guilty of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. The main findings were that they:
– Deliberately used an inoperable oily water separator (OWS).
– Intentionally discharged fuel oil sludge directly into the ocean in as many as 100 plastic garbage bags.
– Instead of replacing the OWS, they simply used a number of bypass methods (including a magic pipe), forcing the oily waste into the ocean.
In addition, they failed to log the discharge in an oil record book as required and covered up their actions by falsely entering data in the record books.
A Knowing Action
DSD Shipping knew that the oily-water separator aboard its vessel, the M/T Stavanger Blossom, was inoperable according to prosecutors.
In an internal corporate memo , DSD Shipping noted that the device could not properly filter oil-contaminated waste water and stated that individuals “could get caught for polluting” if the problem was not addressed
Facing Fines
The company is facing a possible fine of up to US $500,000 per count, in addition to other possible penalties.
Paying The Human Price
The three crew members are facing a possible maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the obstruction of justice charges. DSD Shipping was convicted of one count of conspiracy, three counts of violating APPS, three counts of obstruction of justice and one count of witness tampering.
