Ship’s Pilot Is Charged in Oil Spill

From: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/us/15spill.html?fta=y
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/08/us/08spill.html

By: Carolyn Marshall

On November 14, the captain and the sailors of ship that caused the oil spill in California were refused to speak to federal investigators from National Transportation Safety Board. The spokesman, Peter Knudson said they already hired lawyers to speak and solve the problem for them. However, the pilot, John Cota told investigators that the radar and other electronic charting devices were not working shortly before the accident. But the transportation board said after it tested the radar and other electronic devices, it showed that all the equipment was working normally at that moment. The captain and crewmen did not test for drugs after the accident occurred.

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On December 7, the pilot has filed misconduct charges by an agency in California. The Board of Pilot Commissioners in California accused John J. Cota who piloted the ship at a dangerous speed even though the weather was bad. His careless action brought the disaster to the ocean. Approximately six hundreds birds are killed and thirty beaches are closed. The oil is continuing spread out through the area. Mr. Cota’s lawyer, John Meadows did not respond immediately after the charges announced. John Cota has fifteen days to respond and it is possible for him to lose his license.