DOJ – Pilot of COSCO BUSAN pleads guilty

The Department of Justice issued a news release stating that the pilot of the COCSO BUSAN when it allided with a tower of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on November 7, 2007, pleaded guilty in federal court to negligently causing the discharge of approximately 53,000 gallons of oil in violation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) and to killing approximately 2,000 migratory birds in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Sentencing has been scheduled for June 19. As part of the plea agreement, the government dismissed charges of making false statements to the Coast Guard regarding his use of prescription medications. The punishment terms of the plea agreement, which are subject to approval by the court, provide for confinement in prison for between two and ten months, a fine of between $3,000 and $30,000, and one year of supervised release during which the defendant will not serve as a pilot or master. Trial for the ship manager has been scheduled for September 14. (3/6/09).