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Alaska Man Fined for Dumping Oil and Sewage
Anchorage, Alaska – In a shocking case of environmental disregard, East West Seafoods LLC, a State of Washington company, has been sentenced to pay a total of $50,000 in fines for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, the Clean Water Act, and the Refuse Act by intentionally discharging oily bilge water and raw sewage into the ocean off the coast of Alaska, and then presenting false records to the U.S. Coast Guard.
According to court documents, East West Seafoods LLC was also placed on probation for five years. During the term of probation, the company will be subject to a heightened level of scrutiny, including warrantless searches of its vessels and places of business based upon a reasonable suspicion that it is violating the law. Other terms of probation require East West Seafoods LLC to instruct crewmembers on the proper operation of the pollution prevention equipment, including the Oil Water Separator, and the completion of the Oil Record Book, and to review and certify the accuracy of the Oil Record Book every six months for any vessel owned, operated, managed, or controlled by East West Seafoods LLC.
The 75% owner of East West Seafoods LLC and operator of the F/V Pacific Producer, Kodiak resident Christos Tsabouris, age 78, was sentenced to pay a $10,000 fine and serve a five-year term of probation for his role in these offenses. During the term of probation, Tsabouris is required to pay for and complete at least two courses related to marine pollution, marine environmental protection, proper disposal of sewage, bilge water and waste oil, recordkeeping, and vessel engineering systems.
Tsabouris and East West Seafoods LLC also paid pre-existing outstanding fines totaling over $25,000 owed to the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
East West Seafoods LLC is the owner of the F/V Pacific Producer. The F/V Pacific Producer is a large seafood processing vessel and is registered in the United States. It is a 472 gross ton fishing vessel built in 1946, and is 169 feet long. Christos Tsabouris has had charge of the F/V Pacific Producer since at least November 2012. Tsabouris supervised the work of the engineering and deck crews and had overall responsibility for the vessel’s operations.
On March 15, 2013, the F/V Pacific Producer was travelling from Kodiak and grounded near Ouzinkie Narrows. While the F/V Pacific Producer was within three miles of shore, the defendants unlawfully discharged approximately 1,000 gallons of raw sewage into Chiniak Bay between Long Island and Spruce Island.
The case highlights the need for strict enforcement of environmental laws and the consequences of violating them.
Key Facts
- State: Alaska
- Category: Environmental Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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