The pilot of a Chinese cargo ship that struck the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and spilled thousands of gallons of oil into the bay in November was charged Monday with criminal violations of federal environmental laws. The criminal accusation states that the pilot, John J. Cota, made a series of mistakes that caused the ship, the Cosco Busan, to strike the bridge on Nov. 7. According to court documents, Mr. Cota failed to use the ship's radar, failed to consult on the ship's course with the Chinese captain and crew, failed to verify the vessel's position, and piloted the Cosco Busan at an unsafe speed as it left the port of Oakland in a heavy fog. Mr. Cota was charged with the negligent discharge of oil and the killing of migratory birds. NY Times 3/18/08
The federal accusations are similar to the conclusions reached by investigators from the State Board of Pilot Commissioners in December, but maritime attorneys said it was rare for criminal charges to result from such errors.SF Chronicle 3/18/08
Contract negotiations between shippers and the union representing West Coast dock workers started off with a peaceful tone Monday, when both sides met in San Francisco for talks on a new three-year agreement. Representatives from the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union launched formal negotiations aimed at improving employee safety and maintaining port jobs for some 26,000 unionized longshore workers, marine clerks and foremen in California, Oregon and Washington. Both sides spent most of the day hammering out ground rules and discussing the union's concerns. Daily Breeze 3/18/08
Schwarzenegger wants to address the state's long-term fiscal problems with a constitutional amendment that would limit spending and increase the governor's authority to make cuts. Schwarzenegger said it would prevent the state from facing big deficits in the future. Schwarzenegger has called for 10 percent, across-the-board cuts to cope with the projected deficit in the 2008-09 fiscal year. That includes a $4.3 billion reduction in education spending. SJ Mercury 3/18/08
Commissioners of the Port of Oakland will consider a set of goals today that are intended to reduce diesel emissions in West Oakland by 85 percent over the next 12 years.The plan includes a road map for raising $520 million over several years. Approximately $350 million would come from per-container fees that would be assessed on ocean carriers along with matching government funds. The remaining $170 million would come from bonds approved by California voters in November 2006. SF Chronicle 3/18/08
Virgin America launches its first flight Tuesday morning at Sea-Tac International Airport between Seattle and San Francisco. The Bay Area-based carrier will have three non-stop daily flights to San Francisco starting Wednesday. KING5 3/18/08
The West Coast dockworkers union sat down Monday with the association representing giant shipping companies for early contract talks aimed at avoiding a replay of a damaging 10-day lockout in 2002. The initial meeting took place in San Francisco between the heads of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which has 14,800 registered members, and the Pacific Maritime Association, representing 72 shipping companies. SJ Mercury 3/18/08
According to media reports, CARB will enforce a requirement that ships use low-sulfur fuel for auxiliary engines while within 24 miles of the California Coast – even though that regulation has been struck down at two court levels. Land Line Magazine 3/18/08
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