The captain and chief officer of the Panamanian-flagged Japanese bulk carrier that grounded on the Mauritius Reef on July 25th , 2020, pleaded guilty to endangering the safe navigation of the Wakashio.
Under Mauritian law, Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar and Hitihanillage Subhoda Janendra Tilakaratna now face two years’ imprisonment or a fine of $1,140. The captain, in particular, told the court that he had been drinking during a party on board when the vessel ran aground.
The sentence will be issued on December 27th by the Intermediate Court of Mauritius.
Translation by Giles Foster
