Boat that polluted Garitsa Bay found

Two foreign nationals were arrested yesterday by Corfu Port Authority officials, for infringement of the laws protecting the marine environment.

Corfu Central Port Authority said that, following an investigation, it was found that a private pleasure boat sailing under the Maltese flag was anchored in Garitsa Bay on 25 July and during the transfer of oil between two tanks, an overflow occurred from the ventilation, resulting in a quantity of oil to spill on the deck and then through the gutter, ending up in the sea.

Corfu Central Port Authority, which is conducting an investigation, has prohibited the boat from leaving port.

The captain and the engineer of the boat, foreign nationals aged 46 and 49, were arrested for infringement of the laws protecting the marine environment and the procedure for the imposition of administrative sanctions was initiated.

The marine pollution covering an area of about 100x40m. with opalescent light oil was detected in Garitsa Bay on Sunday. Corfu Coastguard officials have placed absorbent barriers around the polluted area.