The former captain of the fishing vessel Native Sun was found guilty of discharging oily waste directly into the ocean, thereby violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, the U.S. Department of Justice informed.
The government alleged and proved that Randall Fox, one-time captain of the Native Sun, discharged bilge slops from the vessel directly overboard into the ocean using unapproved pumps and hoses.
One of these discharges was video-recorded by a crewmember, who reported the crime to authorities.
Following a three-day trial, Randall Fox faces a maximum of six years in prison and a criminal fine of up to USD 250,000.
“Today’s (April 5) conviction shows that illegal dumping in our oceans will not be tolerated,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeff Wood of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), said.
Other evidence at trial established that the Native Sun had repeatedly pumped its bilges in the same manner depicted in the video. Bingham Fox, the defendant’s father and the owner of the Native Sun, was convicted at trial of related crimes a year ago.
The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships prohibits the discharge of bilge slops and other oily mixtures, unless they have been properly treated using approved pollution prevention equipment and meet rigorous standards.