Zeus Lines Management, based in Greece, has been imposed a fine of $2.25 million for noncompliance with record-keeping regulations regarding the discharge of oily bilge and failure to report a hazardous condition aboard the Galissas oil tanker, as reported by Safety4Sea.
Illegal Discharges of Oily Bilge Water
Court documents reveal that Zeus and Penaflor admitted to illegally dumping oily bilge water from the Galissas into the ocean, bypassing pollution prevention equipment. These discharges, totalling approximately 9,544 gallons, were not recorded in the vessel’s oil record book as required by law.
Concealed Actions
Penaflor instructed crew members to withhold information about bypassing pollution prevention equipment during the U.S. Coast Guard inspection, leading to illegal discharges going unnoticed.
Inoperable Inert Gas System
During cargo operations in Rotterdam, it was discovered that the Galissas’ inert gas system, crucial for maintaining safe oxygen levels in cargo tanks, was not functioning. Rather than addressing the issue in Rotterdam, management decided to sail to the United States for repair, potentially posing safety risks.
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Source: Safety4Sea
