A marine shipping company and its chief engineer have been penalized for illegally dumping oil-contaminated waste into the ocean, violating federal pollution laws. Cooperative Success Maritime, operator of the M/T Chem Faros, and Vaja Sikharulidze, the ship’s chief engineer, were found to have deliberately bypassed pollution control equipment and falsified records to conceal their actions. The case highlights a continued effort by federal agencies to hold both corporations and individuals accountable for environmental crimes at sea.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), revealed that from September 2009 through March 2010, crew members aboard the M/T Chem Faros routinely pumped oil-contaminated waste directly into the ocean. Instead of utilizing the ship’s Oil Water Separator (OWS) – designed to treat and legally dispose of such waste – a bypass pipe was used to discharge the pollutants undetected. This practice continued even after Sikharulidze took overall responsibility for the Engine Department in March 2010.
The falsification of records played a crucial role in the scheme. Sikharulidze failed to maintain accurate logs in the ship’s Oil Record Book, omitting any mention of the illegal discharges. This deliberate omission was intended to mislead port authorities and conceal the company’s non-compliance with environmental regulations. Approximately 13,200 gallons of oil-contaminated waste were illegally discharged during the period of the violations.
Legal Ramifications and Penalties
Cooperative Success Maritime pled guilty to violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and making material false statements to the U.S. government. As a result, the company was ordered to pay a monetary penalty of $850,000 and to implement a comprehensive environmental compliance plan. Sikharulidze also pled guilty to violating the APPS, receiving a sentence of one year of probation, including seven days of home detention. The APPS, a U.S. law implementing international conventions regarding marine pollution, makes it illegal to discharge oil or hazardous substances into navigable waters of the United States. Falsifying records related to these discharges is also a criminal offense.
Agency Response and Future Enforcement
Federal officials emphasized the importance of aggressive prosecution in cases of marine pollution. “Over the last 30 years we have come to realize the importance of our natural resources,” stated U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding. “Pollution prevention acts…were put in place to protect these resources. We will prosecute such violations aggressively.” Rear Adm. Dean Lee of the Coast Guard 5th District echoed this sentiment, noting the case exemplifies interagency cooperation in protecting the marine environment. EPA Special Agent-in-Charge Maureen O’Mara underscored that both individuals and companies will be held accountable for disregarding U.S. environmental laws.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Cooperative Success Maritime and Vaja Sikharulidze
- Crime: Illegal discharge of oil-contaminated waste into the ocean and falsification of records
- Location: Atlantic Ocean, involving a ship traveling to/from ports in the United States
- Laws Violated: Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), making false statements
- Penalty (Company): $850,000 fine and implementation of an environmental compliance plan
- Penalty (Individual): One year probation, including seven days home detention
- Amount of Waste Discharged: Approximately 13,200 gallons of oil-contaminated waste
- Investigating Agencies: U.S. Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
This case serves as a stark reminder that intentional pollution of our oceans carries significant legal and financial consequences. The coordinated effort by federal agencies demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems and holding those who endanger them accountable for their actions.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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