Other LanguagesAG Ferguson secures second derelict vessel conviction, continues effort to stop environmental crimes
TACOMA — Stephen Mason, owner of the derelict vessel the Helena Star, entered guilty pleas today to charges of abandoning a derelict vessel and discharging pollution into state waters. He was sentenced to 20 days of confinement (which may be served on electronic home monitoring) and two years’ probation, and is ordered to repay the state $300,000 towards the total cost of $1.25 million to remove the sunken vessel from the Hylebos Waterway in Pierce County. As part of the agreement, Mason will cooperate with Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) efforts to secure the remaining restitution from other Helena Star investors.
“Derelict vessels cause substantial environmental damage and cost taxpayers millions of dollars,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “If you break our state laws and pollute our environment, we will hold you accountable.”
The restitution ordered at today’s hearing will replenish state funds used to remove and clean up the sunken Helena Star. The DNR Derelict Vessel Removal Program will receive $250,000, while the other $50,000 will reimburse the Department of Ecology’s Coastal Protection Fund, which is used to clean up oil spills.
“I deeply appreciate Attorney General Ferguson’s work to ensure owners of derelict vessels are held accountable for their damage to the environment and the costs they inflict on Washington taxpayers,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, who directs DNR. “This work is vital to the clean up and restoration of Puget Sound.”
“Derelict vessels are the cause of thousands of gallons of fuel released to Washington waters every year,” said David Byers, Ecology Spills response manager. “The money we’ll receive from this case will go directly toward restoration work — rebuilding public resources damaged by spills.”
Assistant Attorney General Josh Choate was the lead prosecutor on this case.
Background
The Helena Star was acquired in 2010 by California investors who hired Mason to scrap the vessel on his property adjacent to the Hylebos Waterway. Mason did not finish the job, instead leaving the vessel dormant on his property as it continued to deteriorate. This ship ultimately sank near the southern end of the Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma in January 2013, releasing hundreds of gallons of fuel and oil into the water.
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) filed criminal charges against Mason in January 2014. The charges included one count of causing a vessel to become abandoned or derelict and one count of discharge of polluting matters into state waters.
The maximum penalty for abandoning the vessel is 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines plus restitution and assessments. The maximum penalty for polluting the waters with the leaking fuel and oil is 364 days in jail and a $10,000 fine as well as restitution and assessments.
In July 2014, the derelict Helena Star was towed out of the Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma and dry docked for scrapping. The dollars recovered for the scrap steel—though not nearly enough to pay for the salvage and clean up process—will go back to the state Derelict Vessel Removal Program.
The AGO prosecuted the case with the concurrence of the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office.
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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Attorney General Bob Ferguson is working hard to protect consumers and seniors against fraud, keep our communities safe, protect our environment and stand up for our veterans. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
CONTACT:
Alison Dempsey-Hall, Acting Communications Director