DRD Towing, Oil Spill & Fraud, LA 2011
A series of legal actions stemming from a 2008 collision on the Mississippi River and subsequent cover-up have resulted in convictions and sentencing for multiple individuals and the DRD Towing company. The incident, which released approximately 282,828 gallons of fuel oil into the river, exposed a pattern of negligence and illegal practices within the company, leading to federal charges of violating maritime safety regulations and obstruction of justice.
The initial incident occurred on July 23, 2008, when the M/V Mel Oliver, operated by DRD Towing, collided with the M/T Tintomara. Investigations revealed that John Bavaret, a licensed apprentice-mate, was steering the tugboat without a properly licensed captain present – a direct violation of maritime law. Terry Carver, the captain of the Mel Oliver, had left the vessel to attend to personal matters in Illinois, leaving an underqualified employee in charge. This reckless decision created a hazardous condition and directly contributed to the collision.
Following the collision, Randall Dantin, co-owner of DRD Towing, attempted to conceal evidence of the company’s negligence by ordering the deletion of electronic payroll sheets from a company laptop. These records, crucial to the Coast Guard’s investigation, would have demonstrated a history of operating vessels with understaffed and improperly licensed crews. This act constituted obstruction of justice and further compounded the severity of the case.
The legal repercussions were extensive. DRD Towing was sentenced to two years of probation and a $200,000 fine for violations of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act and the Clean Water Act. Randall Dantin received a 21-month prison sentence and a $50,000 fine for obstruction of justice. Terry Carver was sentenced to three years of probation for creating a hazardous condition, while John Bavaret received a six-month prison sentence, followed by six months of home detention, and a $125 special assessment after pleading guilty to violating the Ports and Waterways Safety Act and the Clean Water Act.
Federal authorities emphasized the importance of these convictions in deterring similar negligent behavior within the maritime industry. Rear Admiral Mary E. Landry of the Coast Guard stated, “One of the fundamental tenets of safe navigation is having a properly licensed mariner in charge of the vessel…When this principle is broken, the lives of all mariners and the marine environment are at risk.” The EPA’s Special Agent in Charge, Ivan Vikin, added that DRD Towing’s practices were “both dangerous and criminal and will not be tolerated.”
The case highlights the critical need for adherence to maritime safety regulations and the severe consequences of prioritizing profit over safety. The deliberate attempts to conceal evidence further underscored the company’s disregard for the law and the environment. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dorothy Manning Taylor and Matthew Chester successfully prosecuted the cases, demonstrating a commitment to holding accountable those who endanger lives and pollute vital waterways.
Key Facts
- Laws Violated: Ports and Waterways Safety Act, Clean Water Act, Obstruction of Justice
- DRD Towing Penalty: 2 years probation, $200,000 fine
- Randall Dantin Penalty: 21 months imprisonment, $50,000 fine
- Terry Carver Penalty: 3 years probation
- John Bavaret Penalty: 6 months imprisonment, 6 months home detention, $125 assessment
- Oil Spill Volume: Approximately 282,828 gallons
- Incident Date: July 23, 2008
- The collision occurred when an unlicensed employee steered the M/V Mel Oliver.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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