United States v. Zeus Lines Management S.A. et al.

On August 8, 2023, a court sentenced Zeus Lines Management S.A. (Zeus), to pay a $1,687,500 fine and make a community service payment of $562,500 to the National Fish and Wildlife Fund. Zeus also will complete a four-year term of probation to include implementing an environmental compliance plan and engaging a court appointed monitor. Captain Jose Ervin Mahigne Porquez will complete a two-year term of probation and Chief Engineer Roberto Cayabyab Penaflor will complete a three-year term.

Zeus, a vessel operating company, pleaded guilty to maintaining false and incomplete records relating to the discharge of oily bilge wastes and failing to report a hazardous condition on board the oil tanker M/V Galissas. Chief engineer Penaflor and Captain Porquez also pleaded guilty for their roles.

In February 2022, the defendants failed to maintain an accurate Oil Record Book and failed to report a hazardous condition on board the ship, specifically, that the inert gas system was inoperable. Zeus pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PWSA) (33 U.S.C. § 1908(a); 46 U.S.C. § 70036(b)). Porquez pleaded guilty to violating APPS and Penaflor pleaded guilty to violating the PWSA.

The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service conducted the investigation.

Press Release:  Vessel Operator, Captain and Chief Engineer Convicted of Environmental Crimes