KENNEWICK, WA – Brandon D. Traner has been ordered to pay $144,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to abandoning a derelict vessel and discharging pollutants into Washington state waters. The case, pursued by Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, marks the first successful derelict vessel conviction in the state and highlights a growing concern over the environmental and financial burden of abandoned boats.
The MN Forus, a fishing trawler owned by Traner, sank in the Columbia River in 2013, releasing approximately 50 gallons of diesel fuel and 8 gallons of motor and hydraulic oils. The vessel, evicted from the Columbia Marine Center in Pasco, was reportedly piloted towards Hat Rock Marina in Oregon by a friend, Lyle Aylett, when it began taking on water and ultimately sank in approximately 40 feet of water. Aylett was forced to abandon ship and swim to safety. The submerged masts created a navigational hazard for other river traffic.
The cleanup operation, coordinated by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Ecology, proved difficult and costly. It took over a month to remove the Forus from the riverbed, preventing the release of an additional 159 gallons of fuel. The vessel was eventually dismantled and shipped for disposal. The Attorney General’s office successfully argued for restitution to cover the expenses incurred by both agencies.
Legal Ramifications
Traner pleaded guilty on August 7, 2014, to violating Washington State laws RCW 79.100.110(1), pertaining to abandoning a derelict vessel, and RCW 90.48.140, concerning the discharge of polluting matters into state waters. He was sentenced to 20 days in jail, $540 in fines and assessments, and two years of probation. While Traner completed his jail sentence, the fines and assessments remained unpaid until the recent restitution order. The $144,000 will be split between the DNR Derelict Vessel Removal Program ($60,000) and the Ecology Coastal Protection Fund ($84,000).
A Growing Problem
“Derelict vessels hurt the environment and cost taxpayers millions,” stated Attorney General Ferguson. “This conviction sends a strong message: My office will track down environmental criminals and hold them accountable.” Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the DNR’s commitment to pursuing owners who pollute Washington’s waterways. Dale Jensen, Ecology Spills Program Manager, stressed the importance of preventing spills and holding responsible parties accountable, stating that the incident “could have been prevented.”
Key Facts
- Defendant: Brandon D. Traner
- Crime: Abandoning a derelict vessel and discharging pollutants.
- Location: Columbia River, Washington State
- Year: 2014
- Restitution: $144,000
- Statutes Violated: RCW 79.100.110(1), RCW 90.48.140
- Pollutants Released: 50 gallons diesel, 8 gallons oil
- Timeline: Charged 04-MAR-14, Pleaded Guilty 06-AUG-14
Ferguson’s office is currently pursuing charges against the owners of two other derelict vessels, the Helena Star and the Chickamauga, which leaked hundreds of gallons of fuel into Puget Sound. The cleanup costs for the Helena Star alone have exceeded $1 million, underscoring the significant financial burden posed by these cases.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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