VANCOUVER -- The state Department of Ecology has fined Seattle's Olympic Tug & Barge, Inc., $14,000 for spilling 50 gallons of diesel fuel into the Columbia River during a fuel transfer Dec. 4, 2006.
The department also fined Barber Ship Management of Malaysia $1,000 for its role in the spill.
Both companies have 30 working days from the date of issuing the fine to appeal, said Curt Hart, Ecology spokesman. The companies were notified Friday.
An Ecology news release said that after transferring diesel fuel, the Olympic barge disconnected its fueling hose from the car carrier Cosmos Express while the vessel was moored at the Port of Vancouver.
The tank barge crew member lost control of the ship's hose and it swung over the side of the barge, spilling the fuel to the barge's deck and into the river.
The Cosmos Express captain quickly reported the spill to the U.S. Coast Guard and Ecology.
Olympic fired the tankerman for failure to follow company policies, the news release says.
Barber Ship Management of Malaysia, which operates the Cosmos Express, was not found negligent.
-- Allan Brettman, email@example.com