Three years after a cargo ship leaked nearly 3,000 litres of bunker fuel into Vancouver’s English Bay, court proceedings have begun.
However, the Greek-based company that has denied owning the MV Marathassa, Alassia NewShips Management Inc., didn’t have anybody representing it in court Monday to argue against ten charges, which include failing to implement an emergency plan.
Lawyers for the ship, however, were present.
The first witness to appear was Harbour Patrol Officer Mark James, who testified seeing oil around the Marathassa when he boarded the ship, and that the ship’s captain presented a piece of paper with Alassia NewShips Management Inc.’s official letterhead on it.
Crown lawyer Adriene Switzer said that letterhead, which was presented in court, may have some significance.
“So there’s a variety of different evidence about who did what, and that may be some evidence of who was there.”
“It’s the Crown’s duty to prove that Alessia, as charged on the information, committed the offences in the way that we’ve alleged,” said Switzer. “So any piece of evidence that can support that claim could be valuable to that.”
Transport Candada recommended charges against Alassia NewShips Management Inc. and the MV Marathassa after a lengthy investigation.
Comments