- Misuga Kaiun Co. Ltd. (MISUGA), Japanese shipping company has been fined $1.5 million for concealing illegal discharges of oily water.
- The chief engineer of the vessel has also been convicted.
- The company pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships for failing to accurately maintain oil record book that covered up discharges of oily water.
- Apart from the penalty the company has been placed on a probation for a period of four years.
- It also has to implement a comprehensive Environmental Compliance Plan as a special condition of probation.
A recent new published in the United States Department of Justice website highlights about the role of a Japanese company MISUGA in polluting the ocean. Consequently it has been convicted and fined to the tune of $1.5 Million for this wrong doing and concealing it, as it is an environmental crime at any means.
The oceans are important
“The world’s oceans are an important natural resource,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This prosecution demonstrates the department’s continuing commitment to protecting our ocean resources and upholding the rule of law.”
Credit to marine inspectors
- The results announced in this case send a strong message to anyone who seeks to take shortcuts and intentionally pollute the environment.
- Though its been pandemic time, the marine inspectors Marine Safety Detachment Cape Canaveral, as well as special agents from Coast Guard Investigative Service Southeast Region are lauded for their hard work and dedication.
“We will continue to work with our Department of Justice and environmental protection partners to hold accountable any who put profit above regulations, threaten our coastal ecosystems and jeopardize our waters and harbors for future generations.” said Rear Adm. Eric C. Jones, Commander Coast Guard District Seven.
The chief engineer’s fault
The chief engineer of the M/V Diamond Queen, a 34,800 gross-ton, 656-foot ocean-going commercial bulk carrier, deliberately failed to keep a record with regard to the overboard discharge of oil bilge water.
This was enacted without the use of required pollution-prevention equipment.
The discharges occurred on multiple occasions, from approximately April 2019 until the vessel arrived in Port Canaveral, Florida, on May 22, 2020.
The chief engineer, Cloyd Dimapilis, also pleaded guilty to falsifying the oil record book, and was sentenced to one year of probation.
The investigation of the crime
As per the plea agreement, MISUGA operates the M/V Diamond Queen.
Before the ship arrived in Port Canaveral on May 22, an information was sent by a junior crew member to the U.S. Coast Guard about illegal discharges that had taken place on the vessel.
Immediately, the U.S. Coast Guard dispatched Port State Control Examiners to conduct an inspection of the vessel.
On the basis of examination, the examiners found the evidence of the system that was used to discharge oily water from the vessel in order to bypass the vessel’s oily water separator.
Prosecutors of the case
The following members are prosecuting the case.
- Senior Trial Attorney Kenneth Nelson of the Environmental Crimes Section
- Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gardella of the Middle District of Florida
The prosecution is an outcome of an investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Marine Safety Detachment Port Canaveral, and Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: The United States Department of Justice
