Polar Tankers, Oil Pollution, Alaska 2007

Valdez, AK – Polar Tankers, a shipping company responsible for the tanker vessel Polar Discovery, has been convicted of violating federal environmental regulations after deliberately concealing an illegal oil discharge into Alaskan waters. The case, brought forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reveals a pattern of negligence and intentional cover-up aboard the vessel in 2007.

According to court documents, a crew member aboard the Polar Discovery reported witnessing the discharge of oil into the ocean by fellow crew members. Crucially, this discharge was *not* reported to the proper authorities, as required by law. Further investigation revealed a deliberate effort to conceal the incident, with no corresponding entry made in the vessel’s oil record book – a critical log maintained for tracking discharges and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard also confirmed no reportable entry or investigation occurred regarding the incident.

The EPA’s criminal enforcement action stemmed from violations of the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1908(a), which addresses the maintenance of accurate oil record books and the reporting of oil discharges. The failure to properly document and report the incident not only violated federal law but also hindered efforts to assess and mitigate any potential environmental damage.

On October 17, 2007, Polar Tankers was charged with one count of violating MARPOL (33 U.S.C. 1908(a)). Just days later, on October 23, 2007, the company pleaded guilty. The sentencing, handed down by a federal judge, included a significant financial penalty and a stringent probationary period. Polar Tankers was sentenced to 36 months of probation, ordered to pay a $400 special assessment fee, and slapped with a $500,000 federal fine.

However, the penalties didn’t stop there. As part of the agreement, Polar Tankers was also directed to contribute $2,000,000 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. These funds are earmarked for environmental projects and initiatives specifically focused on the protection, preservation, and restoration of the delicate ecosystems surrounding Valdez and Prince William Sounds – areas particularly vulnerable to oil pollution and still recovering from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Furthermore, the company was mandated to invest approximately $5 million in a Focused Environmental Management System, a special condition of their probation designed to prevent future violations.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Polar Tankers
Crime: Illegal oil discharge and falsification of oil record book.
Location: Alaskan waters near Valdez and Prince William Sound
Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1908(a) – Clean Water Act (MARPOL violations)
Penalties: 36 months probation, $400 special assessment, $500,000 fine, $2,000,000 to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, $5,000,000 for Environmental Management System.
Reporting Failure: The oil discharge was not reported to authorities, and no log entry was made.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to environmental regulations, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like Alaska’s coastal waters. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue criminal enforcement actions against companies that prioritize profit over environmental protection, sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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