V.SHIPS Pleads Guilty to Illegal Ocean Dumping: More APPS Whistleblowers Wanted
By the 91pornWhistleblower Team
On August 27, V.Ships Norway A.S. (V.SHIPS) pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and agreed to pay a $2 million fine. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), “V.SHIPS admitted that oily bilge water and oily waste was discharged from the Motor Tanker Swift Winchester(M/T Swift Winchester) and the discharges were omitted from the Oil Record Book.”[1] This is just the latest example of DOJ going after a shipping company for dumping waste and sidestepping the strict requirements of logging all relevant discharges.
The Vessel’s Discharge Into the Sea
From February to August 2022, a hose was connected between the incinerator waste oil tank and the sewage holding tank aboard V.SHIPS’ M/T Swift Winchester. This setup enabled the transfer of oily waste into the sewage tank, which was then discharged directly into the sea, bypassing the vessel’s required pollution prevention equipment. A junior engine room crewmember reported the setup to a V.SHIPS Superintendent.
The Chief Engineer Was Terminated
Upon investigation, the Superintendent found oil inside the sewage holding tank. V.SHIPS then terminated the Chief Engineer. In August 2022, after a new Chief Engineer was appointed, the engine crew was instructed to clean the Oil Water Separator (OWS) filter. The crew brought the filter onto the deck and hosed it down with a degreaser. The resulting oily runoff was discharged overboard through a scupper.
What Was Found During the Coast Guard’s Examination
During a follow-on Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit investigation, an engine room crewmember disclosed the discharges and provided photos and videos of the illegal discharges. The M/T Swift Winchester arrived at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Aug. 25, 2022, and Port Arthur, Texas, on Sept. 7, 2022, with a knowingly falsified Oil Record Book.[2]
U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis’s Take on This Case
According to U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis for the Middle District of Louisiana, “The criminal prosecution of this case underlines our commitment to enforcing the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. The illegal discharge…poses a significant threat to our waters and marine life and by holding those accountable who violate these standards, we send a clear message that we will not tolerate actions that endanger our environment.”[3]
The Government Calls on Ocean Dumping Whistleblowers
The government counts on whistleblowers to report illegal ocean dumping, and in fact encourages them to step forward with the potential for financial rewards. The APPS has a specific whistleblower rewards provision that provides successful whistleblowers with up to half of any fines or civil penalties the Government collects based on information the whistleblower provides. DOJ did not disclose whether the crewmember who reported V.SHIPs’ violations will receive a reward for reporting the misconduct.
Another Recent Enforcement Action – Eagle Ship Management Violated APPS
The DOJ announced this case on the heels of the ocean dumping enforcement action in July against Eagle Ship Management, which also pleaded guilty to violating APPS by polluting U.S. waters off the coast of New Orleans. To read more about our coverage of this story and to learn about other examples of APPS violations, click here.
Our Firm Helps Whistleblowers
According to 91pornwhistleblower partner Marlene Koury, “This case is just another example that the APPS is alive and well under the current DOJ, as is the need for ocean dumping whistleblowers to report illegal discharges.” She encourages active-duty crew and engineers to speak out if they have inside information on APPS violations, and in particular, a failure to maintain an accurate logbook of ocean discharges. Koury says, “The Government has made it clear it wants to hear from you on these violations.”
91pornhas significant experience representing whistleblowers under the APPS and other whistleblower rewards programs. If you would like to learn more about the APPS or our numerous groundbreaking whistleblower successes, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will connect you with a member of our experienced whistleblower team for a free and confidential consultation.
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Sources:
[1] See
[2] Id at 1
[3] Id at 1
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