A cargo ship has been permitted to leave the Aleutian Islands port of Dutch Harbor after the Coast Guard detained the vessel for two weeks amid an ongoing environmental crimes investigation.
The German operator and owner of the 600-foot container vessel signed an agreement with the Coast Guard on Thursday, posting a $500,000 bond and agreeing to leave some of its approximately 20 crew members in Anchorage in exchange for permission to leave port, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Feldis.
Feldis said the crew will stay to respond to investigators' questions. The operator and owner will cover the crews' costs, he said.
The ship, known as the Lindavia, arrived in Dutch Harbor on Feb. 12. Before it entered the port, the crew notified the Coast Guard that bad weather had damaged the ship's navigation lights and radar system. The ship had traveled from China to Dutch Harbor to pick up a cargo of seafood. Its next stop was Japan, Feldis said.
When the Lindavia reached Dutch Harbor, the Coast Guard boarded the ship and became aware of "possible environmental crimes," Feldis said. He said he could not provide further details, citing an ongoing investigation.
German shipper Herm. Dauelsberg GmbH & Co. KG operates the Lindavia. The ship is registered in Liberia, Feldis said.
The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports that the German shipping company pleaded guilty to two felony environmental charges last year after the M/V Bellavia discharged oil-contaminated seawater into the Pacific Ocean. The vessel was detained in Long Beach, California.