US oil spill ship pilot charged

November's oil slick killed 2,000 birds and closed several beaches

The pilot of a ship that spilt 58,000 gallons of oil into San Francisco Bay after crashing into the Bay Bridge has been charged with criminal negligence.

John Cota, who was also charged with breaking environmental laws, faces 18 months in jail and up to $100,000 in fines if convicted.

The Cosco Busan container ship he was piloting ruptured when it ran into the bridge in fog last 7 November.

Mr Cota's lawyer said the criminal charges were premature.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had declared a state of emergency after the oil spill, which killed an estimated 2,000 birds - including endangered brown pelicans - and caused the closure of nearly two dozen beaches.

'Experienced pilot'

"While piloting the ship in heavy fog, (Mr Cota) failed to pilot a collision-free course and failed to adequately review the proposed course with the captain and crew on official navigational charts," said the Justice Department in a statement.

These failures had led to the Cosco Busan striking a fender protecting a support tower beneath the bridge, the department said.

This collision caused the ship's tank to rupture and leak 58,000 gallons (219,500 litres) of fuel oil into the bay.

Mr Cota has disputed some of the charges, saying his radar had become "distorted" and "unreliable" as he tried to navigate the bay, causing him to switch to the ship's electronic charting system.

"Captain Cota is a qualified, experienced pilot, who has worked on the San Francisco Bay for almost 27 years," said Jeff Bornstein, Captain Cota's lawyer.

"We strongly believe that once all the evidence is heard, a jury will find in Captain Cota's favour."