Trial Update: Prestige Captain Argues Authorities Denied Him Access to Port of Refuge

The ongoing trial of the Prestige tanker oil spill intensifies between the tanker’s captain, Apostolos Mangouras, and Spanish state attorneys. Also sitting on the bench is the former director of the Spanish Merchant Marine, Jose Luis Lopez-Sors.

Many are questioning the decisions made back in November 2002 when the old ship spilled thousands of tons of fuel into the waters northwest of Spain.

Margouras argues that it was necessary for the Prestige to reach a port of refuge and proceed there with a smaller vessel to empty the fuel, but confirms that authorities denied him so.

State attorneys are asking for a sentence of 13 years in prison for disobedience, resistance, and crime against the environment. Counsel for the State points out that many large vessels find alternative methods of navigation when the sea is disrupted. Mangouras argues that the size of the Prestige did not allow a solution. He goes on to say that he was only able to reduce the speed of the ship.

Spanish state authorities are being criticized though for sending off eight lives back to sea during a heavy storm. According to Mangouras, the Spanish government acted with contempt for disregarding human life.