Seafood News Environment & Sustainability

Sanford to ‘vigorously’ defend pollution charges

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By SeafoodSource staff
30 July, 2012 - Representatives from Sanford Ltd., including Managing Director Eric Barratt, are in Washington, D.C., this week to testify in a case involving the Sanford-operated tuna fishing vessel F/V San Nikunau.

Sanford said in a press release on Monday that it will “vigorously” defend the seven charges against the company.

The case stems from a U.S. Coast Guard investigation involving the San Nikunau that began in American Samoa in July 2011. Criminal charges were filed in January alleging that Sanford was vicariously liable for the failure of certain engine room crew members to properly maintain the vessel’s oil record book in connection with the management of oily wastes aboard the vessel. Sanford is also charged with vicarious liability for the alleged obstruction of the U.S. Coast Guard investigation by one of the vessel’s crew.

In April, a former chief engineer from the San Nikunau pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS); he will be sentenced in early September.

The case was brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.

Sanford is represented by New York-based law firm Chalos O’Connor LLP and the Washington, D.C-based law firm Blank Rome LLP. Sanford added that it is unable to make further comment while the case is court.

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