SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 7 — A California maritime agency has filed misconduct charges against the American captain at the helm of a Chinese container ship that hit the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on Nov. 7, spilling 58,000 gallons of fuel and fouling 40 miles of shore.
The agency, the Board of Pilot Commissioners, accused the captain, John J. Cota, of piloting the ship at an unsafe speed despite heavy fog that posed an obvious threat in navigating the 900-foot vessel under bridge.
Mr. Cota’s lawyer, John Meadows, would not answer questions on Friday, but has previously said Mr. Cota complained about faulty equipment and radar that flickered as he tried to maneuver through a narrow channel.
“The matter is in the hands of the State Board of Pilot Commission, and we cannot comment,” Mr. Meadows said. “Mr. Cota is very sad at all the loss of animal life and the threats to his career.”
Mr. Cota, a 25-year shipping veteran who could lose his license, has 15 days to respond. He is entitled to a hearing before the state panel, which cited errors in judgment and “misconduct.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment