Ship owner, operator indicted in pollution case

Two foreign companies that own and operate the oceangoing chemical tanker Nautilus, together with the ship's chief engineer, were indicted today in federal court for allegedly covering up discharges of oil-contaminated waste at sea.

Consultores De Navegacion, S.A. a Spanish company, Iceport Shipping Co. Ltd. of Cyprus, and chief engineer of the ship were charged in a superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy, one count of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships by failing to maintain an accurate ship record concerning the disposal of oil-contaminated waste, and one count of making false statements to U.S. Coast Guard authorities regarding the pumping of oil-contaminated waste overboard.

In addition, Consultores and Iceport were charged with one count of falsifying records with an intent to impede the administration of a federal agency matter and one count of obstruction of justice.