A Japanese ship operator has been fined 1.8 millions USD by the Chief U.S. District Judge for the use of magic pipe on their ship MV Selene Leader. Out of these 1.8 millions USD, $450,000 will go to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and $250,000 to the whistleblower on board the vessel who approached U.S. coast guard with video proof of the incident.

The chief engineer and first engineer on board the vessel had used the flexible hoses to by-pass the oily water separator and had discharged the oily bilges directly to the sea.

Chief engineer then tried to hide the facts and instructed the other crew members to lie to coast guard.

“The Coast Guard is trying to send a message to the maritime industry that environmental compliance is not optional and that deliberate violators will be apprehended. The sentence fits the crime because it includes a requirement that these defendants develop and implement a comprehensive environmental compliance program that will be ensured by outside auditors. Companies that get caught can expect a much closer look,” said Coast Guard Captain Kevin Kiefer, Captain of the Port of Baltimore.

image credit: marinetraffic.com / Markus Braun