German Steamship Co. Pays $1.25 Million for Discharging Fuel Into Long Beach Harbor

A German company will pay a $1 million fine and donate another $250,000 to an environmental fund for failing to report an open crack in its hull that may have allowed fuel to leak into the Port of Long Beach, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Herm. Dauelsberg GmbH pleaded guilty in California Central District Court for failing to maintain accurate records related to the disposal of fuel oil, and failing to report a hazardous condition aboard the M/V Bellavia. The charges were brought as a whistleblower suit by four crew members of the Bellavia. They provided pictures and videos of discharges from the fuel tank to the Coast Guard. The sailors will get to keep $500,000 out of the penalty amount. The $250,000 donation will go to the Channel Islands Natural Resources Protection Fund.