The captain of a Russian tanker has been fined in a UK court over safety failures.
Vitaliy Trofimov will have to pay a total of £25,762 ($34,400) following a prosecution at Hull Magistrates Court on Thursday brought by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).
It related to breaches of the International Safety Management (ISM) code on the 2,800-dwt Tecoil Polaris (built 1990).
The master pleaded guilty to serious non-compliance of safety requirements which placed the vessel – to be loaded with 1,665 tonnes of lubrication oil – at risk, the MCA said.
He was fined £1,400 and ordered to pay £24,361.99 in costs.
The vessel had arrived at Humber Port on the evening of 5 June from Hamina, Finland.
Humber Port Authority reported concerns about the master and crew’s competency as the vessel approached and berthed at Immingham.
The vessel was inspected the next day and a "catalogue" of deficiencies was found regarding navigation and safety equipment, together with significant non-compliance with the ISM code.
These included not having correct navigation charts or a voyage plan, incorrect stability calculations, navigation equipment not working and defects with lifesaving equipment.
The vessel was subsequently detained and its safety certificate cancelled.
The district judge said: "Many of the failures were down to yourself. You are responsible for all those onboard and those on the high seas; that is why this is high culpability."
MCA’s lead investigator Mark Flavell said: "This was an extremely serious breach of the ISM code.
"In this case, the captain showed complete disregard for the safety of his vessel and crew operating the vessel.
"The intention was for this vessel to carry 1,665 tons of oil to Finland, which could have had disastrous human and environmental consequences.
"We hope that today’s prosecution demonstrates that we will prosecute those who endanger themselves, others and the environment in this way. Our message is clear – there is no room for complacency where safety is concerned."
The vessel, listed as owned by Tecoil Shipping of Russia, will not be released until the fines and costs have been paid, MCA said.
