Engineer charged with releasing oil in Lake Huron

Bay City — An engineer aboard a commercial ship has been charged with intentionally discharging oil into Lake Huron in 2014.

The U.S. Coast Guard says two oily sheens were spotted by air, east of Cheboygan and east of Alpena, two years ago. Investigators were tipped by a crew member who worked in the engine room aboard the Victory.

Jeffrey Patrick, who was chief engineer on the Victory, is charged with knowingly releasing oily waste. He’ll be arraigned Tuesday in Bay City federal court. A message seeking comment was left for his attorney.

The Coast Guard says bilge waste can be discharged to a site on land or pumped overboard only after oil has been separated.