The AP reports American West Steamboat Company was fined $50,000 for a grounding incident in Alaska during May of 2007.
There was a small amount of oil released when the ship struck a charted by while piloted by an inexperienced officer, but the potential for a much larger release was significant according to the prosecutor.
American West is no longer operating, and its parent Ambassadors International, which is struggling financially, is trying to sell the line or the assets.
