The U.S. Coast Guard has initiated penalties against four anti-drilling protesters, including a woman who chained herself to a support ship that’s part of Royal Dutch Shell’s oil exploration plans in the Arctic Ocean.
Petty Officer 1st Class George Degener says Cody Erdman, Chiara D’Angelo, Paul Adler and Matthew Fuller on Friday were mailed penalty notices for violating the 100-yard safety zone when the Arctic Challenger was anchored north of Seattle over Memorial Day weekend.
The maximum fine is $40,000 for each violation, but a hearing officer in Virginia will determine the penalty. The activists will have a chance to present their case.
The Coast Guard says it supports the public’s right to protest. But it says prolonged safety zone violations strain agency resources and hinder its ability to respond to other calls.
