Chinese operator of ship that caused 2007 San Francisco Bay oil spill fined $10M
SAN FRANCISCO February 19, 2010 (AP)
A federal judge has ordered a Hong Kong-based company to pay a $10 million fine after the cargo ship it operated caused a massive oil spill in San Francisco Bay.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston also ordered Fleet Management Inc. to better train its officers in navigation and safety Friday.
The fine was expected after Fleet Management reached a deal with prosecutors in August. The company pleaded guilty to obstruction, making false statements and negligent oil discharge.
The 900-foot Cosco Busan spilled 53,000 gallons of oil in 2007 after sideswiping a San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge tower.
The pilot, John Cota, was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor charges.
Company lawyers declined comment Friday, citing active lawsuits over the spill.
via abc News
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