Update: Canada Sets Bond for Owners of Marathassa

The owners of the bulk carrier MV Marathassa, found responsible for an oil leak in British Columbia’s English Bay, have agreed to a CAD 300,000 bond as an incentive for appearing in any future proceedings and prosecutions, a Canadian daily The Globe and Mail reported.

The bond will not cover the oil cleanup expenses, and it does not limit the amount the ship’s owner, the Greece-based Alassia NewShips Management, could potentially pay, Transport Canada’s spokesperson Jillian Glover said.

As World Maritime News previously reported, the Cyprus-flagged MV Marathassa spilled around 3,000 litres of fuel into the English Bay on April 8.

Transport Canada’s investigation into the spill found that the spill had been caused by mechanical problems on board the ship.

The Canadian Coast Guard released the vessel on April 21. The vessel was cleared for movement into a berth at Port Metro Vancouver, where Transport Canada will inspect the vessel to ensure any safety deficiencies have been rectified.

The vessel will also be inspected by Lloyd’s Register, Glover said.

World Maritime News Staff,