Company charged in English Bay fuel spill must challenge summons in B.C. court

VANCOUVER — A Federal Court judge has rejected an application for judicial review filed by a Greece-based company facing charges in a 2015 fuel spill in Vancouver's English Bay, saying it must make its case in British Columbia Supreme Court.

The MV Marathassa and Alassia NewShips Management Inc. each face 10 charges, including discharge of a pollutant and failure to implement an oil pollution emergency plan and are scheduled to appear in B.C. Provincial Court on Wednesday.

Alassia had asked the Federal Court to set aside summonses and declare that attempts to serve the documents by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and the Attorney General were invalid.

Alassia Lawyer Peter Swanson said Tuesday a summons for the Marathassa has been accepted, but orders to appear addressed to his client were wrongfully served to a Canadian insurance adjuster and a ship captain who didn't work for the company.

Lisa Laird, lawyer for Canada's Attorney General, argued the question of whether the service was valid should be decided by a B.C. court and Federal Court Justice Glennys McVeigh agreed.

Swanson also clarified that Alassia does not own the Marathassa — the company is described on its website as a ship management company that offers services to owners of vessels.

The Canadian Press