Threat of legal action leads to payment of fine over Humber incident
A company and one of its ship masters have paid up fines after being warned their boat could be seized if they didn’t pay.
On the 14th June 2018, the Master of a Russian oil
tanker was fined a total of £25761.99 at Hull Magistrates Court for breaching
the International Safety Management (ISM) Code in a prosecution brought by the
Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).
The Russian-registered 85m long tanker Tecoil Polaris arrived at
Humber Port on the evening of June 5 2018 to load lubricating oil. Concerns
were raised about the master and crew’s competency as the vessel approached and
berthed at Immingham Docks, Humber. As a result the vessel was inspected by MCA
Inspectors on the morning of 6 June 2018. They found a catalogue of
deficiencies in navigation and safety equipment, together with significant
non-compliance with the ISM Code. The vessel was subsequently detained and its
safety certificate cancelled.
The Master of the vessel was subsequently prosecuted to an offence
of breaching the ISM Code. Captain Vitaliy Trofimov pleaded guilty to the
offence. He was fined £1400 and ordered to pay £24,361.99 in costs. The
court ordered that fines and costs were to be paid within 56 days but a
follow-up hearing about non-payment was due to be held today ( 28 February) at
Hull Magistrates Court.
However, all fines and costs were paid in full by 3.30pm on 27
February avoiding the potential seizure of the vessel in settlement of the
debt.
Captain Andrew Phillips, enforcement officer with the Maritime
& Coastguard Agency said: ‘This sends out a clear message: if you don’t pay
your fines and costs, we will come after you and we will – if we have to – use the
law to seize your vessel or other assets to cover it.