- The chief engineer, owner and manager of the bulker Joanna were indicted by a Louisiana grand jury on charges related to oil pollution, concealing deliberate pollution, and failing to report a hazardous condition.
- The four-count grand jury indictment on felony charges alleges that the engineer and the companies employing him tampered with required oil pollution prevention equipment and falsified the ship’s records to conceal their actions.
Empire Bulkers Ltd., Joanna Maritime Limited and Chief Engineer Warlito Tan were indicted on September 30 in New Orleans for violations of environmental and safety laws related to the Motor Vessel Joanna, a Marshall Islands registered Bulk Carrier, reports a press release from the US Justice Department.
Tampering with pollution prevention equipment
The four-count grand jury indictment alleges that the companies and Tan tampered with required oil pollution prevention equipment and falsified the ship’s Oil Record Book, an official ship log regularly inspected by the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard found that the ship’s Oily Water Separator had been bypassed by inserting a piece of metal into the Oil Content Meter so that it would only detect clean water instead of what was actually being discharged overboard. According to the indictment, Tan and the shipping companies falsified the log and sought to obstruct the Coast Guard’s inspection.
Violation of Ports and Waterways Safety Act
The defendants also were charged with violating the Ports and Waterways Safety Act by failing to immediately report a hazardous situation that affected the safety of the ship and threatened U.S. ports and waters.
During the inspection on March 11, 2021, the Coast Guard discovered an active fuel oil leak in the ship’s purifier room that resulted from disabling the fuel oil heater pressure relief valves, an essential safety feature designed to prevent catastrophic fires and explosions.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe
Source: US Department of Justice
