The Kriti-Ruby: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a significant legal development, the chief engineer and second engineer of the vessel 'Kriti Ruby' have admitted guilt regarding the illegal discharge of oily waste near a petroleum terminal in New Jersey in 2022. Konstantinos Atsalis, aged 57, and Sonny Bosito, aged 54, each faced charges in a case that underscores the seriousness of maritime pollution. The admissions took place in front of Judge Esther Salas at the U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey. Atsalis pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. This includes the critical act of falsifying the ship's oil record book, a document routinely inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard. According to the admissions, the crew of the 'Kriti Ruby' deliberately circumvented necessary pollution control measures by discharging oily waste from the engine room through the ship's sewage system into the surrounding waters, particularly near a petroleum offloading facility in Sewaren on the Arthur Kill waterway, located between New Jersey and Staten Island in September 2022. During proceedings, Atsalis acknowledged his role in directing the crew to conceal equipment associated with the transfer of oily waste from the bilge wells to the sewage tank. This was done prior to a U.S. Coast Guard inspection, highlighting a concerning pattern of deception within the vessel’s operations. Bosito, on the other hand, admitted to presenting a falsified oil record book to the U.S. Coast Guard during their inspection, actively participating in concealing the discharge of oily waste. His actions were also marked by directives to crew members to hide crucial equipment involved in the illegal waste transfer. The proceedings reveal severe implications for Atsalis and Bosito, with each charge carrying a potential maximum penalty of six years imprisonment, alongside fines that could reach up to $250,000 or double the gross gain or loss from the offense—whichever is greater. The sentencing for both engineers is scheduled for October 22, 2024. This case emphasizes the ongoing efforts to uphold maritime environmental regulations and the need for accountability among those in the shipping industry.