Reporting Ship Sourced Pollution
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Oil and Chemical pollution prosecutions
PROSECUTIONS FOR OIL AND CHEMICAL POLLUTION FROM SHIPS (and associated)
COMMONWEALTH AND STATE LEGISLATION FROM 1997 TO 2006
The following table lists completed prosecutions for the period 1997 to 2006 for Commonwealth and complementary or similar State legislation that implements the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). Note many of these cases are not available as published court reports. A case law search on Australian internet legal sites will provide records of decisions that are available. Cases have been publicized in press reports at the time of the court findings. This list has been compiled based upon information provided.
Date of Prosecution |
Date of Incident |
Jurisdiction |
Vessel name |
Vessel type |
IMO Number |
Flag |
Location |
Pollutant |
Litres spilt |
Penalty |
26/02/1997 |
28/01/1995 |
NSW |
Pyrmont Bridge |
General cargo |
7400041 Liberia |
White Bay |
Oil |
150 |
$50,000 |
|
14/03/1997 |
22/11/1992 |
NSW |
Anro Australia |
General cargo |
7619410 |
Australia |
Brotherson Dock |
Oil |
1000 |
$110,000 |
10/04/1997 |
27/03/1996 |
VIC EP Act |
Capitaine Cook |
General cargo |
7707504 |
Norway |
Geelong |
Oil |
2500 |
$6,500 |
23/07/1997 |
16/05/1996 |
VIC |
Lijnsbaansgracht |
General cargo |
8611116 |
Netherlands |
No 4 VIC Dock |
Oil |
10 |
$42,000 |
30/07/1997 Anthony Patrick Morrison v. S.B. Che Mat Koubwere Ienraoi No. 50092 of 1996 [1997] NSWLEC 104 |
09/02/1996 |
NSW |
Kokopo Chief |
General cargo |
8810449 |
Hong Kong, China |
Brotherson Dock |
Oil |
150-200 |
$61,000 |
06/08/1997 |
26/11/1995 |
NSW |
Palmstar Rose |
Oil tanker |
8916188 |
Bahamas |
Kurnell |
Oil |
40 |
$40,000 |
08/08/97 Morrison v MAFI (Bignold J, 8 August 1997, unreported) |
04/09/1995 |
NSW |
Fua Kavenga |
Ro-ro General cargo |
7819826 |
Vanuatu |
White Bay Sydney |
Chemical coconut oil |
300 |
Master $10,000 |
27/10/1997 |
15/12/1995 |
Commonwealth |
Paola II |
Oil tanker |
9020560 |
Bahamas |
VIC – Offshore |
Oil |
115 |
$7,000 |
23/04/1998 Filipowski v Ryong [1998] NSWLEC63 |
12/12/1994 |
NSW |
Hegg |
Oil Tanker |
7810478 |
Panama |
White Bay |
Chemical Soya Bean Oil |
500 |
Master $25,000 |
30/04/1998 |
02/05/1997 |
VIC |
Providence |
Oil tanker |
6923101 |
Ecuador |
Melbourne |
Oil |
10 |
$6,500 |
15/05/1998 |
24/07/1996 |
NSW |
Kareliya |
General cargo |
7359498 |
Liberia |
Sydney |
Oil |
Not quantified |
Owner $50,000 |
01/06/1998 |
14/12/1996 |
NSW |
Stolt Otome |
Chemical Tanker |
9031739 |
Panama |
Botany Bay |
Oil |
40 |
Owner $30,000 |
13/08/1998 |
29/07/1997 |
VIC |
Capitaine Fearn |
General cargo |
7819826 |
Vanuatu |
Melbourne |
Oil |
Not quantified |
$40,000 |
01/09/1998 |
09/09/1997 |
VIC |
Alam Tenaga |
General cargo |
7621994 |
Malaysia |
Portland |
Oil |
500 |
$12,500 |
17/11/1998 |
29/01/1997 |
NSW |
Aesar Sydney |
Bunkering barge |
Australia |
Brotherson Dock Port Botany |
Oil |
Not quantified |
Owner 50,000 |
|
16/02/1999 (Judge Lloyd) |
04/06/1997 |
NSW |
Asian Glory |
Bulk Carrier |
9113329 |
Singapore |
Newcastle |
Oil |
50 |
Owner $65,000 |
04/03/1999 |
28/07/1997 |
QLD |
Trinity Bay |
General cargo |
8115100 |
Australia |
Thursday Island |
Oil |
18,000 |
Master $12,000 |
25/06/1999 |
19/08/1998 |
QLD |
Pernas Amang |
Bulk carrier |
8316596 |
Malaysia |
Dalrymple Bay |
Oil |
45 |
$20,000 |
21/07/1999 |
? |
VIC |
Bunker One |
Australia |
Yarra River |
Oil |
Not quantified |
Owner $3,000 |
||
06/08/1999 |
12/08/1998 |
VIC EP Act |
Alam Tenteram |
General cargo |
7640471 |
Malaysia |
Corio Bay: mixture of unapproved dispersant/water used to clean spill of hydraulic oil on deck |
Oil/chemical |
N/A not quantified |
Owner $7,500 |
12/08/1999 |
19/04/1998 |
QLD |
Rexandra |
Fishing vessel |
Australia |
Mooloolaba Boat Harbour: bilge pump left on overnight |
Oil |
180 |
Owner $20,000 |
|
5/11/1999 |
09/09/1998? |
VIC EP Act |
Stolt Aquamarine
|
Chemical Tanker |
8309529 |
Cayman Islands UK |
Bass Strait/Phillip Island (Penguins covered with yellow stick substance) |
Chemical Lube oil additive |
N/A chemical amount not quantified |
Owner $20,000 |
14/01/2000 |
06/08/1998 |
QLD |
Trinity Bay |
General cargo |
8115100 |
Australia |
Cairns |
Oil |
5,600 |
Owner $30,000 |
16/03/2000 |
03/08/1999 |
NSW |
Laura D'Amato |
Oil Tanker |
8907539 |
Panama |
Sydney Harbour |
Oil |
294,000 |
Owner $510,000 |
04/05/2000 |
21/08/1998 |
QLD |
Palmerston |
Oil Tanker |
8814638 |
Australia |
Hamilton, Brisbane |
Oil |
3000 |
Owner $25,000 |
17/05/2000 |
09/09/1999 |
QLD |
Wavedancer II |
Fishing vessel |
Australia |
Mackay, vessel vandalised |
Oil |
300 |
Owner $2,000 |
|
07/09/2000 |
24/09/1998 |
QLD |
Nizam |
Fishing vessel |
Australia |
Mooloolah Harbour |
Oil |
20 |
Master $1,000 |
|
26/07/2000 |
22/10/1998 |
QLD |
SeaBreeze II |
Fishing vessel |
Australia |
Moolooaba Boat Harbour |
Oil |
10-15 |
Master $750 |
|
13(?)/06/2001 |
28/061999 |
SA |
Mobil Refinery |
Refinery offshore coupling line |
Port Stanvac |
Oil |
230000-260000 |
Mobil $50,000 |
||
20/06/2001 |
31/05/2000 |
NSW |
Abydos (MISR Shipping) |
Bulk carrier |
8117017 |
Egypt |
Port Kembla |
Oil |
Not quantified |
Owners $50,000 |
21/03/2001 |
07/01/2000 |
QLD |
AJ Coyne II |
Launch |
Australia |
Mackay |
Oil |
10 |
Owner $5,000 |
|
25/06/2001 |
08/01/2000 |
VIC POWBONS 1986 |
Devil Cat |
Ferry |
Australia |
Station Pier Melbourne |
Diesel |
1000 |
Owners $5,000 |
|
09/07/2001 |
07/02/2000 |
QLD |
Saphire |
Passenger launch |
Australia |
Mandalay Beach (near Airlie Beach) |
Oil |
35-50 |
Owner $7,500 |
|
01/08/2001 |
12/08/1999 |
NSW |
Eburna |
Oil tanker |
7612175 |
Singapore |
Kurnell |
Unleaded petrol |
30 |
Owner $38,000 |
21/03/2002 |
08/09/1999 |
NSW |
Karamea |
Tug |
Australia |
East Wall Garden Island |
Diesel |
2-3 |
Owners $5,000 |
|
04/04/2002 |
30/04/2000 |
SA |
Mukairish Alsades |
Livestock carrier |
6908577 |
Saudi Arabia |
Adelaide |
Oil |
200 |
Owners $5,000 |
21/04/2002 |
24/10/2001 |
VIC |
Humbolt Current |
General cargo |
7819943 |
St Vincent and Grenadines |
Melbourne, Yarra River |
Oil |
Not quantified |
Owners $25,000 |
09/05/2002 |
23/05/2001 |
VIC |
Sericata |
Oil tanker |
8500240 |
Isle of Man UK |
Geelong |
Oil |
500 |
Owners $25,000 with costs $5,682 |
05/06/2002 |
05/05/2000 |
NSW |
ChengTu |
General cargo |
9007362 |
Hong Kong |
Wharf 3, Darling Harbour |
Oil |
Not quantified |
Owners $75,000 Master $15,000 |
09/07/2002 |
16/03/2000 |
QLD |
Stella VII
|
Fishing vessel |
Australia |
Cooktown |
Oil |
50-85 |
Owner $20,000 |
|
22/08/2002 |
14/07/2000 |
QLD |
Boonari Likoo |
Fishing vessel |
Australia |
Mooloolaba Boat Harbour, Mooloolaba |
Diesel |
Not quantified |
Owner $30,000 plus legal costs of $1,500 |
|
22/08/2002 |
24/04/2000 |
NSW |
Carmen |
Ro Ro |
8016548 |
Singapore |
Wharf 8, Darling Harbour |
Oil |
500 |
Owners $40,000 Master $10,000 |
22/08/2002 |
4/01/2001 |
NSW |
K. Phoenix |
Bulk carrier |
9123415 |
Panama |
Newcastle |
Oil |
10 |
Owners $35,000 |
30/09/2002 |
19/01/2000 |
NSW |
Andhika Adhisatya |
Product carrier/tanker |
8512190 |
Singapore |
Wharf 5, Darling Harbour |
Vegetable oil |
Not quantified |
Owners $25,000 Master $10,000 |
11/11/2002 |
22/06/2000 |
QLD |
Wadjemup |
Barge |
Australia |
Trinity Inlet, Cairns |
Diesel |
Not quantified |
Master $750 |
|
12/12/2002 |
01/06/2001 |
NSW |
Caltex |
Kurnell Refinery |
Heavy lube oil |
Not quantified |
Caltex $70,000 |
|||
10/03/2003 |
25/05/2001 |
QLD |
Tambai II |
Barge |
Australia |
Main Wharf, Thursday Island |
Diesel |
Not quantified |
Owner $22,000 |
|
28/05/2003 |
05/07/2001 |
VIC |
TASMAN |
Oil tanker |
88100123 |
Australia |
Yarraville, Victoria. |
ULP and air pollution |
4000 |
Master $7,500 |
21/05/2003 |
18/12/2000 |
QLD |
Dainty Miss |
Fishing vessel |
Australia |
Karumba |
Diesel |
18 |
Master/Owner fined $5,000 |
|
13/06/2003 |
27/07/2001 |
QLD |
Ji Chong Lee |
Fishing vessel |
Australia |
Rockhampton |
Diesel & engine lubricating oil |
2200 |
Owner $25,000 |
|
27/06/2003 |
17/04/2002 |
QLD |
Warden Point |
Bulk carrier |
7636822 |
Australia |
Gladstone |
Fuel oil |
Not quantified |
Owner $20,000 |
07/08/2003 |
30/06/2001 |
QLD |
Sericata |
Oil Tanker |
8500240 |
Isle of Man UK |
Brisbane |
Crude oil |
30 |
Owner $32,000 |
21/08/2003 |
24/05/2002 |
QLD |
Japara |
Fishing Vessel |
Australia |
Mooloolaba |
Fuel oil |
10-15 |
Owner $5,000 |
|
August 2003 |
18/12/1999 |
Commonwealth |
Sylvan Arrow |
Oil tanker |
8001268 |
Marshall Islands |
Offshore Wilsons Promontary |
90-2000 |
Owners $100,000 |
|
17/11/2003 |
21/06/2001 |
QLD |
Katie M |
Fishing vessel |
Norman River, Karumba |
Diesel oil |
10-12 |
Master $1,000 |
||
05/05/2004 |
30/04/2001 |
NSW |
P&O Nedlloyd Fos |
Container ship |
9142942 |
Liberia |
Brotherson Dock, Port botany |
Heavy Fuel Oil |
Not quantified (800?) |
Owners $50,000 |
25/06/2004 |
06-02-2001 |
NSW |
Golden Lucy I |
Chemical tanker |
8506763 |
Gore Cove, Sydney |
Oil (bitumen feed stock) |
40 |
Owners $25,000 |
|
21/07/2004 |
21/09/2002 |
QLD |
Pacific Pioneer |
Offshore oil rig supply vessel (used as mother ship for fishing vessels) |
6828947 |
Australia |
Evans Landing, Weipa |
Diesel oil |
100 |
Owner $23,000 |
01/09/2004 |
04/08/1998 |
NSW |
Golden Frontier |
Chemical tanker |
8516653 |
Panama |
Offshore Botany Bay |
Lauryl alcohol |
3500-5000 |
Owners $135,000 |
06/10/2004 |
01/09/2001 |
Commonwealth |
Pax Phoenix |
Bulk Carrier |
9233600 |
Panama |
Offshore Whitsunday Islands. Oil trailing ship for 79 kilometres |
Oil |
167-666 |
Owners $85,000 |
25/11/2004 |
05/01/2003 |
QLD |
Taobruo |
Fishing vessel |
Australia |
Rosslyn Bay Boat Harbour |
Oily mixture (bilge contents) |
10 |
Owners $3,500 |
|
--/12/2004 |
28-29/04/2003 |
QLD |
Friendship R |
Passenger (tourist) vessel |
Australia |
Rosslyn Bay Boat Harbour |
Oil |
200-1200 |
Owners $20,000 |
|
13/12/2004 |
05/08/2004 |
Mackay Magistrates Court |
Hamdon Star |
Fishing Vessel |
Australia |
Mackay |
Oil |
15-35 |
Owner $5,000 Master $1,500 |
|
16/12/2004 |
30/05/2003 |
QLD |
Bellarine |
Tug |
Australia |
Weipa, QLD |
Oil (waste oil mixture diesel/ lubricating) |
30 |
Owners $10,000 |
|
2002 to June 2006 |
07/09/2002 |
NSW |
Pacific Onyx |
Oil tanker |
8806383 |
Panama |
Gore Cove, Sydney |
Oil |
200 |
Owners $25,000
|
11/04/2005 |
01/12/2001 |
NSW |
MSC Vivianna |
Container Ship |
7373418 |
Panama |
Port Botany, Sydney |
Oil |
240-300 |
Owners $150,000 Master $25,000 Engineer $15,000 |
02/06/2005 |
25/12/2002 |
Commonwealth |
Pacific Quest |
Container |
8130019 |
Panama |
Whitsunday Islands |
Oil (slick > 70 ks long) |
9300 |
Owners $180,000 |
08/06/2005
|
24/02/2004 |
VIC |
Maersk Toba |
Container |
7909413 |
Greece |
Yarra River, Swanston Dock, Melbourne. |
oil |
200 |
Owners $5,000 Master $5,000 |
07/10/2005 |
11/10/2001 |
NSW |
Tavake Oma |
General cargo |
8331962 |
Tonga |
Glebe Island, Sydney |
Oil from sludge/slops tank |
1050 |
Owners $50,000 |
20/12/2005 |
28/03/2003 |
VIC |
ANL Pioneer
|
Container |
8614194 |
Germany |
Wollamai/Kilunda beaches |
waste oil sludge |
30-40,000 |
Master: $20,000 Owner $50,000 |
07/03/2006 |
24/09/2003 |
NSW |
Terminal operator
|
Port Botany |
Oil from blown gasket in pipeline during transfer operation from ship |
40 |
Terminal operator $60,000 |
|||
29/05/2006 |
28/07/2005 |
Tasmania |
Petersen |
Fishing vessel |
Australia |
Princess Wharf, Hobart |
diesel fuel oil |
120 |
Owners $9,600 |
|
02/08/2006 |
13/10/2004 |
South Australia |
Sea Angel |
Cargo |
8309361 |
Liberia |
Port Adelaide |
oil |
30+ |
Owners $30,000 |
06/12/2006 |
30/09/2004 |
Victoria |
Bow de Silver |
Chemical Chemical tanker |
9200603 |
Hong Kong, China |
Offshore Victoria. Polluted Cape Woolamai,Phillip Island |
chemical/oil -Tank washings PIBSA |
Master $3,500 |
Relevant legislation:
Commonwealth Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 (AMSA)
State/NT legislation:
NSW - Marine Pollution Act 1987
SA - Protection of Marine Waters (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1987
WA - Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987
TAS - Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987
VIC - Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1986
VIC – Environment Protection Act 1970
QLD - Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995
last updated: January 2007