quote:

Coast Guard Officer Accused of Polluting Hawaiian Waters

Aug 9, 2007 01:20 AM EDT

By Minna Sugimoto

HONOLULU (KHNL) -- They're considered guardians of the sea. But now, one member of the US Coast Guard is accused of polluting Hawaiian waters.

Chief Warrant Officer David Williams was assigned to the Coast Guard cutter Rush, which is moored in Honolulu Harbor. He's suspected of ordering the dumping of oil and other waste into those waters.

He's charged with obstruction of justice and providing false statements for allegedly lying to federal investigators about the discharges.

"Within a four to five hour period, approximately 2,000 gallons of pollutants were dumped into the Honolulu Harbor from the Rush," Ed Kubo, US Attorney, said.

"This was action that was not in conformance with our core values or with the mission that we undertake as stewards of the marine environment," Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, US Coast Guard, said.

The Coast Guard says Williams is no longer assigned to the cutter.

Federal authorities say the investigation continues.

Out of all the places, why even try this there. You cant even wash your car on that base. I wonder if the MSO will issue him a violation for willfully dumping pollutants.

T

Guess it's too late for a "oops"?

What a dumb a$$.

cheese dick

Career dissipation warning light time...



--M

I really hope were all missing something here...I find it difficult to think that the MPA would just dump thinking that no-one was going to find out. 2000 gallons is a crazy amount of waste to just dump. I see more than just the Warrant getting busted for this one. Before all said and done I'll bet the EO and CO get some attention as well.

Once again our happy Freds Place folks jump to conclusions bla bla bla. There are plenty of reasons that this could occur by mistake. All an MPA would have to say is start up the OWS and pump off the water and send the bad stuff to the holding tanks. Wammo OWS malfunctions and now since he was the one to make the order he is in trouble but easily could have been machanical or operator error. He easily could have lied to save his MK1, Chiefs or a little firemans ***. Quite running peoples names thru the mud.
EM1

Have seen it happen before. Put an OWS on the get a little burp and the $hit hitts the fan.

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bunnywhole,

quote:

Originally posted by CGSCOTTY:
Once again our happy Freds Place folks jump to conclusions bla bla bla. There are plenty of reasons that this could occur by mistake. All an MPA would have to say is start up the OWS and pump off the water and send the bad stuff to the holding tanks. Wammo OWS malfunctions and now since he was the one to make the order he is in trouble but easily could have been machanical or operator error. He easily could have lied to save his MK1, Chiefs or a little firemans ***. Quite running peoples names thru the mud.
EM1

Is it ops normal to lie about simple mistakes such as this though??? To his defense, the CG has a history of stacking charges, and making a big deal out of a mole hill. Wouldnt be surprised if thats the case here considering some speak so highly of the officer.

T

quote:

HONOLULU (KHNL) -- They're considered guardians of the sea. But now, one member of the US Coast Guard is accused of polluting Hawaiian waters.

Chief Warrant Officer David Williams was assigned to the Coast Guard cutter Rush, which is moored in Honolulu Harbor. He's suspected of ordering the dumping of oil and other waste into those waters.

He's charged with obstruction of justice and providing false statements for allegedly lying to federal investigators about the discharges.

"Within a four to five hour period, approximately 2,000 gallons of pollutants were dumped into the Honolulu Harbor from the Rush," Ed Kubo, US Attorney, said.

"This was action that was not in conformance with our core values or with the mission that we undertake as stewards of the marine environment," Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, US Coast Guard, said.

The Coast Guard says Williams is no longer assigned to the cutter.

Federal authorities say the investigation continues.

quote:

Once again our happy Freds Place folks jump to conclusions bla bla bla. There are plenty of reasons that this could occur by mistake. All an MPA would have to say is start up the OWS and pump off the water and send the bad stuff to the holding tanks. Wammo OWS malfunctions and now since he was the one to make the order he is in trouble but easily could have been machanical or operator error. He easily could have lied to save his MK1, Chiefs or a little firemans ***. Quite running peoples names thru the mud.
EM1

CGSCOTTY - the happy people of Fred's Place apparently read something different then you did - so I reposted the first post of the thread. It says that he is under investigation for obstruction of justice and false statements - I don't understand why people don't tell the truth; anytime you lie, you're going to get caught; often times the punishment for lying about something is greater then telling the truth and "facing the music" for it. Hey, if FN Gooblatz made a mistake and forgot to connect the hose to the doughnut to pump out the OWS or...blah blah blah - where was the boom around the cutter? Where were watchstanders during the 4-5 hours?

I think CGScott, that as some have made some off the cuff comments about it - coming to his defense and insulting some people who posted their opinion is just as wrong. 2,000 gallons of hazwaste, pumped into a harbor over a 4-5 hour period isn't a little mistake - look for more reliefs for "lost faith in leadership" before this is all over.

I do agree with one thing - the court of public opinion has two sides and both are probably not 100% correct in their assessment or comments. So lets let this story play out before we declare guilt or innocence...

Who have I insulted?????????

"Scooter" Libby and Martha Stewart were not indicted for what they did; they were indicted for lying to federal officials.

Take responsibility for your actions.

quote:

Originally posted by kandel:
cheese dick

quote:

Originally posted by JamesMcGrath:
What a dumb a$$.

These are some intelligent comments, it probably took a lot of thought...
It's quick to condemn someone before the facts are out. I personally don't know this person, but I have heard of him through friends and it was all good things. If he's found at fault he'll pay for his mistake, but it still don't make him a "dumb a$$" or "cheese dick".

There are Merchant Mariners in jail and companies fined millions of dollars for doing the same thing.

quote:

Originally posted by twojo:

quote:

Originally posted by kandel:
cheese dick

quote:

Originally posted by JamesMcGrath:
What a dumb a$$.

These are some intelligent comments, it probably took a lot of thought...
It's quick to condemn someone before the facts are out. I personally don't know this person, but I have heard of him through friends and it was all good things. If he's found at fault he'll pay for his mistake, but it still don't make him a "dumb a$$" or "cheese dick".

Maybe they were talking about the reporter.. See what happens when we jump to conclusions? With that said.. standing by for someone from HQ to contact the mods to "shut this thread down" as not to hurt the investigation..

quote:

There are Merchant Mariners in jail and companies fined millions of dollars for doing the same thing.

Here are a few of the latest high profile civilian "magic pipe" cases...

Overseas Shipholding Group

Evergreen

Fujitrans

Pacific Gulf Marine

Fleet Management

MK Shipmanagement

And the list goes on and on...

Those articles insinuate that the CWO did infact pump it over knowingly and intentionally.
I highly doubt that is what happened in todays political and environmental climate.
Speculating and name calling only brings discredit to our service and unfavorable public opinion. Trust in the process. How many times do you have to be told that this is an ongoing investigation, let it run its course before trying to armchair quarterback it.

quote:

To his defense, the CG has a history of stacking charges, and making a big deal out of a mole hill. Wouldnt be surprised if thats the case here considering some speak so highly of the officer.

I agree; however, these are not CG charges. I think he's being charged by the District of Hawaii U. S. Attorney. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Once upon a time while underway on my favorite river tender in the CG, we heard calls from mariners of an oil slick. As we monitored the traffic, it seemed we were just missing the origin of the spill. It was reported at every location we had already passed.

Our BMC quickly put two and two together. Seems our favorite FN was cleaning some parts and the discharge was floating down the Mississippi behind us. We quickly responded to the reports and the slick suddenly went away.

"Stuff" happens...let this run it's course.