Coast Guard opens criminal investigation into cruise ship MSC Poesia for potential ‘magic tip’

The cruise ship MSC Poesia, authorized to leave the port of Miami on Thursday after being arrested earlier this month, is under investigation for allegedly illegally dumping oil at sea, according to a U.S. official close to the investigation.

The US Coast Guard has opened a criminal investigation into a so-called “magic pipe” case, in which a ship transfers its oil discharge into its gray water system. This is illegal under federal law.

Gray water – which includes anything that comes from a sink or shower – can be discharged into the sea provided the vessel is a safe distance from shore.

The investigation could target members of the crew, the ship’s owner and anyone who may be directly involved and therefore potentially criminally responsible, according to the US official.

CBS News has reached out to MSC Cruises, which operates the ship, for comment.

The MSC Poesia was detained at the Port of Miami earlier this month after the U.S. Coast Guard, which has jurisdiction to inspect foreign-flagged vessels entering U.S. ports, “identified deficiencies in the systems on board the vessel.” At the time, MSC Cruises described the issue as a “regulatory matter” and no further details were provided.

More than 2,000 people were on board the MSC Poesia when it was grounded, a source familiar with the matter told CBS News.

Using a “magic tip” could result in hefty fines.

In 2016, Carnival’s Princess Cruises was ordered to pay a fine of 40 million dollars for dumping oil waste into the ocean. At the time, it was the heaviest sanction of its kind. The company also pleaded guilty to seven charges.