Ship owner pleads guilty in 2004 Alaska spill

ANCHORAGE — The owner of the freighter that spilled soybeans and 340,000 gallons of fuel off an Aleutian Island nearly three years ago pleaded guilty today to three misdemeanor federal counts.

IMC Shipping, of Singapore, owner of the Selendang Ayu, pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the Refuse Act and one count of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Beistline accepted the terms of the plea agreement, calling for a $10 million fine. The penalty includes $4 million in community service, including $3 million to assess risks for shipping hazards where the Selendang Ayu went aground and $1 million for the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

The 738-foot freighter ran aground Dec. 8, 2004, and broke in two on the north side of Unalaska Island. About 66,000 tons of soybeans were lost.

During rescue operations, a Coast Guard helicopter carrying Selendang Ayu crew members from the tanker crashed. Six of the 10 freighter crew members, who had been plucked from the ship, were killed. The Coast Guard helicopter crew was rescued.

The Selendang Ayu left Tacoma on its way to China when it experienced mechanical problems. The vessel's engine was shut down as crew members attempted repairs. As the freighter drifted toward Unalaska Island, crewmen were unable to restart the engine. The ship grounded just off Spray Cape and broke apart.

More than 1,600 birds and six sea otters were found dead after the spill. IMC paid more than $100 million in cleanup costs.

U.S. Attorney for Alaska Nelson Cohen praised the company for its cooperation in the investigation that followed, making available foreign witnesses and experts.

"We had a tremendous amount of cooperation from the defendant," Cohen said.