VESSEL management firm V.Ships has been fined $2m by the US Department of Justice after it pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.

Between February and August 2022, a hose was connected between the incinerator waste oil tank and the sewage holding tank on combined chemical and oil tanker Swift Winchester, now Sea La Bamba (IMO: 9470909).

This allowed oily waste to transfer to the sewage holding tank and then be transferred into the sea, the Department of Justice said, bypassing pollution prevention equipment.

The department said a “low-ranking engine crew member” reported the issue to a superintendent at V.Ships, who investigated the matter, discovered oil in the sewage tank and dismissed the chief engineer.

In August 2022, the chief engineer ordered the oil water separator to be cleaned. It was hosed down with degreaser on deck, and the oily waste was discharged directly overboard though a scupper.

The US coastguard conducted an examination, during which a crew member disclosed the discharges and provided photographic and video evidence.

The department said Swift Winchester entered Baton Rouge on August 25, 2022 with a “knowingly falsified Oil Record Book”.

Acting US attorney Ellison Travis for the Middle District of Louisiana said the illegal discharge of oily waste from vessels “poses a significant threat to our waters and marine life and by holding those accountable who violate these standards, we send a clear message that we will not tolerate actions that endanger our environment”.

Acting assistant attorney general Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said the crew “took pains to hide their illegal activity by knowingly keeping inaccurate records”.

“We will not turn a blind eye to this kind of irresponsible and fraudulent activity”.

V.Ships Norway said it has a “long-standing and proven commitment to compliance, sustainability, and environmental stewardship”.

“The company fully co-operated with US authorities throughout the investigation. Additionally, the company has implemented numerous controls, procedures, and training programs to prevent and detect impermissible activities in the future. V. Ships Norway will not tolerate violations of the law, our ethical policies, Marpol, or any other environmental regulations.”