WASHINGTON state Department of Ecology has levied its first fine on a Greek shipping company of US$8,500 for not having an oil spill readiness plan.
"Preventing spills is our highest priority, and we expect the same from the vessels that we regulate," said Linda Pilkey-Jarvis of the Department of Ecology.
Marmaras Navigation Co. Ltd. was fined for operating a cargo ship in the state without having a state-approved oil spill plan, required since last October. The new law requires ships to have their own approved spill readiness plan or be enrolled in a plan with a non-profit organisation that has Washington-state approved plans.
State officials said they found that the Theodoros P arrived on May 26 without a spill plan. On May 30, the state ordered the ship to have a plan. The next day, the company enrolled in a state-approved blanket readiness plan operated by the non-profit Washington State Maritime Co-operative.
State officials said they could have fined the company $100,000 a day for not having a plan.
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