Tanker company hit with $1 million fine

Tanker company hit with $1 million fine A federal judge has sentenced General Maritime Management (Portugal), operator of a fleet of tanker vessels, and two crewmembers of the motor tanker Genmar Defiance for making false statements to the U.S. Coast Guard and failing to maintain an accurate Oil Record Book designed to prevent pollution of the world's oceans as required by United States and international law.
   The Justice Department said the tanker company was ordered late Friday, to pay a $1 million fine. In addition, the company was sentenced in Corpus Christi, Texas, to serve five years of probation.
   Special conditions of the probation require the company to rehire two whistleblowers who reported the ship was dumping oily bilge water overboard if they reapply for employment. It must also submit monthly reports, under oath, regarding compliance; and allow a court appointed official to perform three audits of each vessel and three audits of its shore side office during the probation period. Violations of the terms of probation could result in one or more of the company's ships being banned from U.S. territorial waters during the term of the probation.