The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice:
(BOSTON) — A Spanish seafarer was charged today in U.S. District Court with covering up discharges of oil contaminated waste from the M/T Nautilus.
United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan and Rear Admiral Dale G. Gabel, United
States Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District, announced today that CARMELO ORIA, age 52, of Spain, was charged in an indictment with one count of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), by failing to maintain an accurate ship record concerning the disposal of oil contaminated waste and one count of making a false statement to United States Coast Guard authorities regarding the pumping oil contaminated waste overboard.
States Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District, announced today that CARMELO ORIA, age 52, of Spain, was charged in an indictment with one count of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), by failing to maintain an accurate ship record concerning the disposal of oil contaminated waste and one count of making a false statement to United States Coast Guard authorities regarding the pumping oil contaminated waste overboard.
Federal and international law requires that all ships follow pollution regulations that
include proper disposal of oily water through an Oil Water Separator on board the vessel. Large vessels generate oil contaminated water waste when water mixes in the bottom of the vessel (the bilge), with oil leaked and dripped from the machinery and the lubrication and fuel systems.
include proper disposal of oily water through an Oil Water Separator on board the vessel. Large vessels generate oil contaminated water waste when water mixes in the bottom of the vessel (the bilge), with oil leaked and dripped from the machinery and the lubrication and fuel systems.
Such oil contaminated bilge waste may properly be disposed of by off-loading it to a licensed hauler and disposal facility at port, or by discharging it overboard after the oil is separated out in The Oily Water Separator. Federal law further requires ships to accurately record each disposal of oil contaminated bilge water in an Oil Record Book and to have the vessel’s Oil Record Book available for inspection by the United States Coast Guard within the internal waters of the United States.
The indictment alleges that, on March 22, 2008, ORIA knowingly failed to maintain an
accurate Oil Record Book for the M/T Nautilus when in port in Boston, Massachusetts.
Specifically, ORIA knowingly maintained an Oil Record Book that failed to disclose the
overboard discharge of oil contaminated waste without the use of the ship’s pollution prevention equipment. The indictment further alleges that, on March 23, 2008, ORIA falsely stated to United States Coast Guard authorities that, among other things, he never ordered the pumping of oil contaminated waste overboard.
accurate Oil Record Book for the M/T Nautilus when in port in Boston, Massachusetts.
Specifically, ORIA knowingly maintained an Oil Record Book that failed to disclose the
overboard discharge of oil contaminated waste without the use of the ship’s pollution prevention equipment. The indictment further alleges that, on March 23, 2008, ORIA falsely stated to United States Coast Guard authorities that, among other things, he never ordered the pumping of oil contaminated waste overboard.
If convicted on the APPS charge, ORIA faces up to 6 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of the false statements charge, MORIA faces up to 5 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Boston, Coast Guard
Investigative Service, New England Region. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda M. Ricci of Sullivan’s Economic Crimes Unit and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Jones of the United States Coast Guard First District Legal Office.
Investigative Service, New England Region. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda M. Ricci of Sullivan’s Economic Crimes Unit and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Jones of the United States Coast Guard First District Legal Office.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
