Criminal prosecution for environmental offences

• In February 2002, Canada prosecuted the M/V Baltic Confidence, a Philippines-registered bulk carrier, for unlawfully discharging an oily substance in Canadian waters. The operator of the vessel pleaded guilty and was fined the largest penalty ever issued for ship-source pollution in Canada. This investigation began because an oily discharge from the ship had been sighted by a Canadian Coast Guard helicopter and a private aircraft.
• In April 2001, the operator of the M/V Sandviken pleaded guilty and was fined for unlawfully discharging an oily substance in Canadian waters. Again, the investigation was initiated after an oily discharge was detected during a routine surveillance mission.
• In April 1999, the operator of the F/V Hogifossur pleaded guilty and was fined for unlawfully discharging an oily substance. The investigation ensued after reports of an oil spill during the fuelling operations, whereby Canada determined that the vessel operator had not taken basic precautions to prevent or minimise the resulting pollution.

08 Jul 2004