Shipmanager Pleads Guilty to Illegal Discharge in US Waters

A Connecticut-based shipmanager, Eagle Ship Management, has pleaded guilty to criminal charges for intentionally discharging over 10,000 gallons of oily bilge water into US waters near New Orleans, violating federal pollution laws. The incident involved the vessel Gannet Bulker and occurred at an anchorage close to the port of New Orleans.

The illegal discharge took place following a repair failure that led to the flooding of the engine room. A whistleblower’s social media post in March 2021 prompted a US Coast Guard investigation, revealing the unlawful actions taken by the company.

Eagle Ship Management also admitted to retaliating against the whistleblower, obstructing justice, destroying evidence, and fabricating documents to cover up the incident. As part of the plea deal, the company faces a potential $1.75 million fine and four years of probation, including mandatory third-party audits.

In a separate case, the vessel’s chief engineer has already been sentenced to over a year in prison. The court is expected to make a decision on the proposed penalties in the near future.