Swedish prosecutors announced fines for the captain and 3rd Officer of a 1599 gross tonnes RO/PAX Ferry Marco Polo, which run aground on 22nd October.
The two crew member fined due to their reckless and careless actions that led to the vessel’s grounding and a significant oil spill in the Baltic Sea.
As informed, the ferry, operated by the German company TT-Line, sank while travelling from Trelleborg, Sweden, to Karlshamm, Sweden. Ten of the thirty crew members and forty-one passengers were evacuated with assistance from the Coast Guard, which has requested further resources from the government to aid with the environmental cleanup, which may take up to a year.
The ferry was leaking when it hit the ground for the first time, but it kept utilising its power when it grounded for the second time, according to a Coast Guard and Public Prosecutor inquiry. This time, damage to its hull caused it to begin leaking water.
As explained, one crew member was fined 40,000 kronor or $3600, and the other was fined $1500. Coast Guard said that Swedish law gives mild penalties for negligence but stricter penalties for intentional acts. However, it can still charge a water pollution fee.