Magic pipe acquittal

Angelex Ltd and Kassian Maritime Navigation Agency Ltd, owner and ISM manager of the Antonis G Pappadakis, were accused of 16 felony counts including using “magic pipes” to discharge the bilge water and then attempting to hide the illegal discharges from the US Coast Guard.

They concluded that the illegal conduct was performed by the vessel’s crew members without the knowledge of Angelex, Kassian or even the Master of the Vessel and without any intent to benefit either company.

The defense, represented by magic pipe specialist, Chalos & Co and Patrick Brogan of Davey & Brogan, of Norfolk Virginia, also established that such conduct was in violation of the vessel’s “zero tolerance” pollution prevention policies and procedures; which strictly prohibit crew members from taking any “shortcuts” to bypass the vessel’s pollution prevention equipment.

There is still the enduring concern though in the industry that some operators are deliberately flouting bilge water discharge rules, by illegally discharging oily water.