Liberian ship master pleads guilty to criminal marine species pollution

CAPT Panagiotis Lekkas, master of the bulk carrier Theotokos, pleaded guilty in federal court in New Orleans to felonies under the US Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and the Ports and Waterways Safety Act relating to marine invasive species in discharged water.

Also pleading guilty was Chief Officer Charles Posas for two felony counts of lying to the US Coast Guard and violating recordkeeping laws aimed at reducing the risk of marine invasive species. Sentencing is set for October 14.

The ship's master was the first charged under the anti-invasive species law, a law designed to prevent the introduction of invasive marine species into US waters. Aquatic nuisance species are non-indigenous species that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, reported American Shipper.

The vessel is owned by Liberia-based Mirage Navigation Corp and is managed by Polembros Shipping Ltd.

(Source: www.schednet.com)