United States v. V. Ships Norway, AS.

On July 7, 2025,  prosecutors filed an Information charging V. Ships Norway, AS, with violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (33 U.S.C Sect. 1908(a)).

V. Ships Norway operated the M/T Swift Winchester. Crew members transferred oily waste on numerous occasions from the vessel’s incinerator waste oil tank into the sewage tank. That oily waste was then discharged directly into the ocean without using mandatory pollution prevention equipment.

The vessel’s Chief Engineer also ordered the crew to clean the Oil Water Separator filters on the ship’s deck. The crew hosed off the filters, allowing the oil and debris to run over the side of the ship into the ocean.

The vessel then entered Port Arthur, Texas with a knowingly falsified Oil Record Book.

The Coast Guard Investigative Service and Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur conducted the investigation.