The 81,700-dwt Artvin (built 2011) was detained by the US Coast Guard in Baltimore, Maryland late last year following an inspection that led to the discovery of equipment used to bypass the vessel’s oily water separator (OWS).
“Any discharge from a ship into the sea of oil or oily mixtures shall be prohibited unless it is processed through oil processing equipment with a dilution that does not exceed 15 ppm (parts per million),” the agency wrote in a subsequent report.
It added: “During the exam it was discovered that the ship was discharging oil into the sea through an air pump, hoses and bucket bypassing the OWS.”
The USCG, which claims the vessel’s crew was “unable to prove proper operation of the OWS”, also said there were inconsistencies between sounding logs and entries in its oil record book.
In the report authorities pointed out that the discharge of oily waste at sea is prohibited by Annex 1 of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.
At the time of detention the Artvin was controlled by Ciner Gemi Acente Isletmeleri Sanayi Ve Ticaret As, which often goes by the name of Ciner Shipping.
The vessel was one of two that landed on the USCG’s most recent list of port detentions for OWS infractions during the first-half of November.
It’s unclear if the US Department of Justice intends to take legal action against the Artvin, its crew or the ship’s owner.
In the past, magic pipe cases prosecuted by the US government have led to stiff fines against operators. In some cases, penalties have topped $1m.