03-03-2010 par Audrey SimonnyMatterhorn found guilty: A victory for Surfrider

A million euro fine was confirmed yesterday against the Captain of the Matterhorn, of which 90% will be paid by the ship-owner Eastwind Transport Ellas Company. The company was found guilty of voluntary hydrocarbon pollution.

The Matterhorn<//a>, a Liberian ship, was rerouted the 25^th May 2009 to Brest’s harbor while navigating 80 kilometers off the coast, with a 22 kilometers long and 200 meters wide oil slick.

The captain eventually obeyed the rerouting order hours after first customs contact, thus implying damning proofs could have been hidden.