September 2006
Source: Bloomberg.com

Galapagos National Park Seeks $10 Million for 2001 Oil Spill

The Galapagos National Park Service has filed a lawsuit to recover $10 million in damages for the 2001 oil spill by the tanker, Jessica. Leaks from the vessel, which was carrying around 160,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 80,000 gallons of fuel oil at the time, spread oil slicks across more than 1,000 square kilometers.

The Park claims that Markel Corp., an insurer of the tanker, has failed to pay any of the compensation awarded by an Ecuadorian court four years ago. In 2002, the Ecuadorian Supreme Court ordered a U.K. unit of Markel to pay the Park Service $10,060,000 in damages and fees. The Park is now asking the High Court in London to enforce that judgment, plus interest.

Markel, based in Richmond, Virginia, declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Galapagos Conservancy urges you to contact Markel Corporation and express your opinion. For information on how to contact them, go to their web site:
www.markelcorp.com/ContactUs/

Contact: comments@galapagos.org