Japanese Companies Sued Over Oil Spill
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The Ventura County district attorney’s office is suing three Japanese companies over an oil spill in the Port of Hueneme nearly two years ago.
The Camellia Ace was carrying cars from Japan to the United States when five to 10 barrels of oil from the ship leaked into the water, said Laurel McLaughlin, deputy district attorney. There are 42 gallons to a barrel.
U.S. Navy personnel on a submarine reported seeing the oil, which was then matched with that from the ship, she said.
The three defendants, Keystone Navigation, Aurora Car Maritime Transport and Camellia Shipholding, could be required to pay $25,000 each for the oil spill, as well as up to $500,000 for failing to clean it up.
The oil spill did not kill any wildlife.
The case is based upon an investigation by the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Department of the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Coast Guard.
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