View non-flash version
OMI Pleads Guilty to Illegal Dump, To Pay $4.2M Fine The U.S. Department of Justice said that OMI Corporation pleaded guilty to preparing false documents in an effort to cover up the illegal dumping of thou- sands of gallons of waste oil and sludge at sea. OMI also agreed to pay a S4.2 million fine and serve three years proba- tion. A ship captain and chief engineer previously pled guilty in connection with the case. The ship involved in the case, the Motor Tanker Guadalupe, owned and operated by wholly owned subsidiaries of OMI Corporation, made port calls in the U.S.. Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. Ships such as the Guadalupe generate waste oil and sludge in the process of purify- ing the heavy fuel oil that is used to power the ship. Like other ships, the Guadalupe was equipped with a system for processing this waste oil and sludge. Under this system, the waste oil and sludge is supposed to be burned in an on-board incinerator or off-loaded to shore or barge disposal facilities, Christie said. In addition, the Guadalupe was equipped with an oily water separator system designed to process oily water that collects in lowermost compartments of the ship. The clean water is discharged into the sea, but the oily bilge water is supposed to be sent to the system for processing waste oil and sludge. Under U.S. law, ships such as the Guadalupe that enter U.S. waters are required to maintain an Oil Record Book relating to the han- dling of oil produced in the engine room. OMI admitted to Judge Hayden that, from around May to September of 2001, a chief engineer authorized ship engi- neers to bypass the incinerator and oily- water separator system on the Guadalupe, discharging waste oil, sludge and oily-water mixtures directly into the high seas. In an effort to conceal these oil discharges, false and fraudulent entries were made in the Oil Record Book relating to the handling and dis- charge of the waste oil. On September 10, 2001, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency boarded the ship in the Port of Carteret to conduct an inspection, and were presented with the false Oil Record Book. OMI admitted. In addition, once he learned that dis- charges had taken place, the Captain of the ship participated in efforts to cover up what had happened. OMI admitted. UAE Shipbuilder Wins $500M in Contracts A United Arab Emirates shipbuilding company has won a $500m contract from the Gulf Arab state's navy to build six warships using French technology. Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) said that the corvettes, known as the Baynunah Class, will be 70 m long and equipped with combat systems includ- Maritime Reporter & Engineering News Over 1Vveiity-five Years Training and Research Simulation Need a Lift? • LNG Ships and Ports • Tugs and Barges • Advanced Pilotage ' U.S. Navy Shiphandling • USCG Approved courses: ECDIS, BRM.AIS and others MarineSafety international Newport, Rl Norfolk, VA San Diego, CA (800) 341 -1353 (757) 423-2320 (619) 231 -3333 www.marinesafety.com To find out more, write, call or email: /lllied Systems mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmJ Z O M P A N Y 2300 Oregon St. Sherwood, OR 97140, USA Phone: 503.625.2560 Fax: 503.625.7269 Email: marketing@alliedsystems.com Website: http://www.alliedsystems.com Manufactured under license from LANTEC, a division of IMAC Design Group Ltd. Circle 242 on Reader Service Card We at Superior Energies Inc. extend our gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to provide our insulation, acoustical, and fire proofing services for the past 25 years! •BBiteSSrV; "•Ife'iso 9001 «(s J CERTIFIED I tmw w IHiS'1 ' 'V « Let us take care of all your insulation blanket requirements We accept MasterCard, Visa and Amex WANT SUPERIOR QUALITY WANT SUPERIOR SERVICE CALL SUPERIOR ENERGIES INC. 1-800-BUY-sei -1 P.O. Drawer 386, Groves TX 77619 Telephone: (409) 962-8549 Fax: (409) 962-4027 Website: www.insulationsei.com Circle 257 on Reader Service Card Circle 204 on Reader Service Card Switch Boots For Hell & High Water TACTILE- COMPATIBLE (AVAILABLE IN ANY COLOR) MATES WITH INCH/METRIC THREADS \ EMI/RFI OPTION -SWITCH/ POTENTIOMETER Q 1 SEALS MOUNTING HOLE TOO HEXSEAL5 DYNAMIC SEALING BOOTS prevent contact contamination—prolonging switch, poten- tiometer & circuit breaker life (50,000 actuations min.). Effectively blocks contaminants such as water, dust, grease, cleaning solvents, etc. UL & CSA Recognized. Rated @ -94°F to +400°F. Millions used under hostile conditions in industrial, process, marine & military applications (QPL Approved to MIL-B-5423). Call or click for catalog & samples. APM HEXSEAL* 888.326.9475 www.apmhexseal.com See us at Underwater Intervention 2004 - Booth #248 Circle 207 on Reader Service Card 14 US Navy Photo If you're suffering from those load-towing blues, we have just what you need. Allied Systems Company now manufactures LANTEC • Winches. With three winch models and four drive models to choose from, chances are, you'll find the machine suited to your applica- tion. Fast, safe, reliable—LANTEC Winches are leaders in their field.