Cota faces federal charges for oil spill

<p>The U.S. government is pressing charges against Petaluma bar pilot John Cota for his role in a container ship’s collision with the Bay Bridge last year, though his attorney said any legal action is premature until an investigation is complete.</p><p>The federal Environmental Protection Agency said Cota violated the Clean Water Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act, misdemeanor charges that carry fines up to $115,000 and potential prison time of up to a year and a half.</p><p>The official filing by the government says Cota negligently caused harmful amounts of oil to spill from the 900-foot container ship Cosco Busan on the morning of Nov. 7.</p><p>Cota was onboard the ship in his role as a bar pilot, guiding ships through the waters of the bay. In heavy fog, the ship struck a tower of the Bay Bridge, causing 58,000 gallons of fuel oil to spill.</p><p>The oil washed up on beaches around the bay and killed an estimated 2,000 birds, including endangered species.</p><p>Federal prosecutors said Cota was negligent in “failing to pilot a collision-free course” and “departing port in heavy fog and then failing to proceed at a safe speed during the voyage despite limited visibility,” among other actions.</p><p>Cota’s attorneys have previously stated he was given incorrect readings of the ship’s navigational charts by the Chinese captain after the radar failed.</p><p>In a statement, attorney Jeff Bornstein called his client “a qualified, experienced pilot” and said charges should not have been filed before the National Transportation Safety Board concluded its investigation of the collision.</p><p>“We strongly believe that once all of the evidence is heard, a jury will find in Captain Cota’s favor,” Bornstein said.</p><p>(Contact Corey Young at corey.young@arguscourier.com)</p>