$10 million fine over oil spill

A federal judge has ordered a Hong Kong-based company to pay a $10 million fine after the cargo ship it operated caused a massive oil spill in San Francisco Bay.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston also ordered Fleet Management Inc. to better train its officers in navigation and safety Friday.

The 900-foot Cosco Busan spilled 53,000 gallons of oil in 2007 after sideswiping a San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge tower.

The ship's pilot, John Cota of Petaluma, was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor charges.

-- Press Democrat news services

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