If you are aware of pollution from ships or marine vessels of any type illegally discharging oil, chemicals, garbage or sewage and wish to know your rights and obligations, contact Rob to arrange a free and confidential initial consultation. (CONTACT ROB HERE)
As witnessed by tragic oil spill disasters, such as the Exxon Valdez and BP, Pollution from ships and marine structure pose a serious threat to the environment. In an effort to prevent pollution by ships, the international community adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, otherwise known as the MARPOL Protocol, to regulate and prevent ships' discharge of oil, chemicals, garbage and sewage. Pursuant to the MARPOL treaty, Congress enacted the following law known as the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS):
A person who knowingly violates the MARPOL Protocol, Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol, this Act, or the regulations issued thereunder commits a class D felony. In the discretion of the Court, an amount equal to not more than 1/2 of such fine may be paid to the person giving information leading to conviction.
The APPS applies to discharges of oil, chemicals, garbage and sewage from ships and marine vessels of any type, and contains a whistleblower provision that rewards individuals who provide information leading to the conviction of polluters who violate the Act. There are certain steps that whistleblowers need to take in order to document the pollution activity and to be eligible for a reward. Because of the difficulty of proving such acts of pollution, witnesses are encouraged to photograph, videotape and collect samples of the pollutants being released into the water.
If you are aware of pollution from ships or marine vessels of any type illegally discharging oil, chemicals, garbage or sewage and wish to know your rights and obligations, contact Rob to arrange a free and confidential initial consultation. (CONTACT ROB HERE)