Americas News
Vessel Chief Engineer Pleads Guilty in Marine Pollution Case
The chief engineer of cargo ship M/V Selene Leader has pleaded guilty in a case of marine pollution after allegedly having attempted to cover up illegally dumping oily waste overboard into the ocean, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Noly Torato Vidad pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) in Maryland, said prosecutors.
Documents showed that mid to late last year, crew members under the supervision of Vidad had reportedly thrown waste from oil tanks into the ocean without running it first through an oil water separator as required by law.
The ship, which was operated by Japan-based Hachiuma Steamship Co Ltd, had been boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard earlier in January of this year for a routine inspection.
Throughout the process, Vidad allegedly falsified oil record documents, in addition to lying and encouraging crew members to lie to inspectors as well.
A Russian governor was also reported last month to have pushed for a ban on at-sea bunkering due to a fear of marine pollution caused by careless ships.
