No. A 010/07
For release - November 29, 2007

Government of Canada Aerial Surveillance Results in Pollution Charges Against M/V Alida Gorthon

HALIFAX — The Government of Canada laid pollution related charges in Halifax Provincial Court today against the M/V Alida Gorthon. The vessel faces two charges under the Canada Shipping Act related to the unlawful discharge of a pollutant and failure to report the discharge of a pollutant. The charges relate to a pollution incident which took place June 22^nd 2007 in which an oil slick of less than 50 litres was spotted in the wake of a vessel transiting Canadian territorial waters approximately 200 kilometres south of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Recently introduced advanced detection equipment aboard Transport Canada's Dash 8 surveillance aircraft was instrumental in detecting and gathering evidence in the case against the vessel.

Some of the detection aids used included Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR), Infrared / Ultra Violet observation and Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology.

Under the Canada Shipping Act, the maximum penalties for convictions on these charges are fines of up to $1 million, prison sentences of up to 18 months, or both fines and imprisonment.

The M/V Alida Gorthon is a 12,750 GRT general cargo vessel owned by Blow Sea Shipping Ltd. and registered in Cyprus.

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring environmentally responsible commercial marine operations and to prosecute marine polluters whenever there is sufficient evidence. Penalties imposed by the courts act as a general deterrent for any would-be polluter.

Transport Canada continues to work in close cooperation with other federal agencies, such as Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada, the Department of National Defence and Justice Canada, as well as with other national and international partners in order to reduce the occurrence of ship source marine pollution in Canadian waters.

More information on the Government of Canada's efforts to eliminate ship-source marine pollution can be found at www.marinepollution.gc.ca.

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