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Antillean Marine Given $1 Million Fine

WTVJ-TV (Channel 6, Miami, Florida) reports on Friday, January 20, 2012 that on that date, Judge Adalberto Jordan sentenced American Marine Management Services, operating as Antillean Marine, a fixture on the Miami River, to a $1,000,000 fine and five years probation for oil pollution and ballast water crimes. The Coast Guard discovered that the TITAN EXPRESS, a ship operated by the company, was leaking excessive oil and fuel from its engine. The Coast Guard said it became aware that the oily water separator did not operate properly and that it gave inconsistent readings. There was also oil inside of the ship's separator.

Referencing the pollution claims, officials say that the company's "oil record book" had several made-up entries and that the book did not efficiently account for the TITAN EXPRESS' waste. Another logbook in the engine room had a note written by an engineer that said, "Always pump out the bilge water. When finished, wash the pump with sea water for 20 minutes to clean out the line. If you don't do it, you'll bring pollution problems, especially to Miami."

The ballast water claims included the failure to report the water that is held in tanks at the bottom of ships to
increase maneuverability. The Justice Department said that Antillean Marine broke the law when they failed to report to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse, which works to prevent the introduction of exotic species into U.S. waters.

Judge Jordan ordered Antillean Marine to pay half of the fine to the South Florida National Parks Trust, a nonprofit environmental organization that works to preserve South Florida water ecosystems.

If you are interested in receiving a copy of the complete report from WTVJ-TV, have any questions on these issues or are interested in contacting me, you may reach me at miamipandi@comcast.net.
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  1. Patricia OlneyJanuary 22, 2012 at 6:29 AM

    Thank you for this excellent review. Any idea if they will be able to pay the fine? Any deadline for payment? What would be penalty if they do not pay?

    ReplyDelete

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