Working Conditions Aboard the Boston-Harmony

On October 21, 2019, a collaborative inspection of the vessel 'Boston Harmony' was conducted by water police officials from Brake, Stade, and Bremen. This operation focused on ensuring adherence to marine environmental protection regulations, emphasizing key compliance areas such as oil residue management, sulfur fuel content, sewage handling, and waste disposal. During the inspection, officers discovered an overflowing garbage collection area within the rudder room that had not been documented in the ship's garbage declaration. Although the captain, a citizen of the Philippines, clarified that garbage disposal was scheduled during their five-day stay at the port of Brake, the situation required attention. The ship contained an estimated five cubic meters of garbage bags and incineration ash, along with ten cubic meters of cargo remains, necessitating proper disposal arrangements in consultation with the Port Authority due to the destination being outside EU borders. Following a follow-up inspection on October 23, officers noted that while initial checks showed compliance in waste disposal, a more thorough investigation unveiled eleven buckets labeled 'sludge' that were not visible during the first inspection. The improper storage of oil sludge constitutes a violation of strict waste management regulations as established by §326 of the German Penal Code. Consequently, to secure ongoing criminal proceedings, both the ship's engineer and captain were mandated by the district court of Oldenburg to each deposit a security of 500 Euros. This incident highlights the importance of strict adherence to environmental standards in maritime operations.