The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a finding of violation to the Dominica Maritime Registry, Inc. (DMRI) which is headquartered in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
According to the Treasury Office, the matter has to do with the violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR) in 2015, however since DMRI is a small company, the underlying conduct at issue was limited.
“Specifically, OFAC determined that on July 4, 2015, DMRI violated § (section) 560.211 of the ITSR by dealing in the property or interests in property of the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), an entity identified by OFAC as meeting the definition of the Government of Iran and whose property and interests in property are blocked,” OFAC said in a release.
According to OFAC, DMRI “executed a binding Memorandum of Understanding with NITC, which OFAC determined was a contingent contract and therefore property in which NITC, a blocked person, had an interest.”
“OFAC determined that DMRI did not voluntarily disclose the violation and that the violation constitutes a non-egregious case,” the release stated.
OFAC listed the following as “aggravating factors” in the matter:
(1) DMRI failed to exercise a minimal degree of caution or care by executing a contingent contract with an entity it knew was listed on the SDN List at the time of the violation;
(2) DMRI executives had actual knowledge of, and actively participated in, the conduct the led to the violation, and were aware of NITC’s status when DMRI executed the contingent contract;
(3) DMRI undermined the policy objectives of the ITSR by dealing in the blocked property of a Government of Iran entity identified on the SDN List.
Based on the size of the DMRI, OFAC said a Finding of Violation was the appropriate enforcement response in the matter.
“OFAC found that DMRI is a small company and the scope of the underlying conduct at issue was limited. Additionally, based on information DMRI provided to OFAC, there was no performance of the contingent contract and DMRI represented that it has had no further dealings with NITC or any other sanctioned party,” OFAC’s release stated.
Dominica News Online contacted the DMRI but was told there are no comments on the matter.
The DMRI hit the spotlight in 2013 when one of its Dominica flagged ships, Danny Rose, was detained in Australia after it was believed to be responsible for an oil spill in the Port of Brisbane.
On its website, the company calls its the Commonwealth of Dominica International Maritime Registry.
“The Commonwealth of Dominica’s open international ship registry is one of the fastest growing and most efficiently managed ship registries today,” the website states. “Our goal is to be the flag of choice for diligent ship owners & operators, giving them the ability to operate their assets in a viable, open, international, ship registry system.”
America is full of CA CA
Hey people it is just a matter of time when the us will hit us with santion, am longing for that day to come.
We have to many wicked people in dominica who is surporting couruption in that country man,
We were recently devastated by Maria. What has America with all its might contributed to our reconstruction? Little. Why do we as a sovereign state believe that we have to bow to the dictates of “Mighty America”. Let us give them reasons to pay attention to us. Let us form alliances with Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the likes. If that offends America so badly and they feel threatened to have an enemy in their back yard they will pour assistance into Dominica more than we need and make Dominica a mighty small island. In the absence of American support, I say lets take it from where we can get it. America has no use for us so lets become important to another power. Why cant we get as much aid as Pakistan? Is it because we don’t pose a threat to them? will lets begin to invite the threat and so America will come in and ask the threat to move out.
Maverick, ask your hero Skerrit why he is using America as a safe haven for himself and his family? Maybe he knows more than you?
America does what it has to do to protect its interest and that includes violating other countries laws. All of you who support America in matters like these are just willing slaves satisfied to be raped over and over again.
Our PM have us accustomed to said “Rape”
I am so sorry for the one who want us to boycott the gala in December. All tickets are sold out. Too bad for you. We in Boston are not ignorant as you. If we boycott this event Dominicans at the loosers not Skeritt. Our schools, our people are the one suffering, this is a benefit event for our dear people who we love .Let us not throw the baby with the bath water.There is too much hatred in your heart towards Skeritt leadership.You all would not do better under these circumstances. Staying on the side lines and criticizing will not take us any where.How much have you been praying? Please let your request be made known to God and stop the strife. A house divided against itself cannot stand. See you at the Gala.
You notice that Debie, Skerrit sows discord wherever he goes. Wonder why that is, don’t you?
That’s so true .One love GODS blessing on Dominica.Keep on doing for your country we need all the help thet is available.One love Dominica.
Are you trying to tell us that your tickets would not sell out if it was not for Skerrit? I think our people are more patriotic than that, don’t you
Skerit has been violating both regional and international laws for too long now,it’s about time to do something with this idiot.
A man lost two boats in two years that passed certification ….what do we expectant
Long before Skeritt was born the government of Dominica passed laws to register foreign ships in Dominica. This was based on the Greek model. This does not reflect ownership of these ships as the property of Dominica or Dominicans. many of American cruise ships are registered overseas. Even the crew are not Americans. I notice that the header of this posting says ” Commonwealth of Dominica” with the Dominican flag. It does not say USA Treasury with the USA flag. Then the whole piece has an anti -Skerrit slant.
ADMIN: The graphic you are referring to was taken as is from the Dominica Maritime Registry’s Website. The link is provided in the story.
Spin Doctor, the problem is not with registering of ships, who registered ships, and when they were registered. The issue is what those ships were carrying and why were they picked to help VIOLATE UN sanctions against Iran. Stop confirming to people that you are a real fool man. You making a fool of yourself my brother or sister and that’s what offends me
That’s what Skerrit administration prays on, The ignorance of supporters. blindly following the butcher to the slaughter house. Does any one remember the money less than a year ago that was distributed all over Dominica in the name of small business while Bailey bridges from TS-Erica were still in use and the people disposed by that storm were still in government provided shelters. Under this malicious criminal Government led by Skerrit Dominica cannot rise up. Dominica is on life support and the remedy is in the hands of the newest dictator in the making and he is allowing just enough medicine to keep Dominica alive but not enough to facilitate recovery or prosperity. Tell Skerrit to POST to the public all issues relating to financial matters and foreign entities and you will see how he reacts. God is not dead and the wicked will be held accountable. 2018 is a new year so lets see what it brings.
Skerrit is a saint and is guilty of absolutely no wrong doing….
why did your boy Skerro took an abrupt and very short trip to Greece back in 2016, after the tanker Swift was arrested in Vietnam waters carrying illegal cargo; oil from Iran?
You all come with your silly excuses every single time! People’s eyes are starting to open especially after Hurricane Maria….. Skerrit has yet to spend 3 weeks consecutively in Dominica, even traveling to Trinidad to meet with students to tell them he will take care of their parents ….. like reallllyyyyy!!!!! How is that going to get the country to rebound, how are allllll these trips he keeps on taking going to help build Dominica’s economy and take us from 187 position for GDP growth; the lowest in the region for 2016????
WIICKED SET OF PEOPLE!!!!
Emile, you are talking codswallop as usual and it is right for DNO to chide you.
Long before you and Skerrit were born Dominica had passports, diplomats, and diplomatic missions; the difference dufus is that Skerrit is the first and only PM that dominica ever had to make the selling of diplomatic passports the center piece of the economy, and it is under his watch for the first time since the legislation was passed, that the company has been cited for sanctions violation USC 31 C.F.R. part 560
No suprise there, its Skerrit that there
There is a hurricane benefit concert in Boston on Dec 12, and Skerrit is the distinguished guest. I am appealing to all in the Massachusetts area to contribute to the benefit concert but to boycott the event as a protest against Skerrit. We need to send a loud and very clear message to this guy that we disapprove 100% of the arrogant and uncooperative manner in which he is handling that massive devastation from Maria at and the business ( not his ) of our homeland Dominica. It’s our duty to send a strong message to this guy that he cannot fool everyone and what he is doing and the way he has handled this storm and our country is not what Dominica is all about. The folks at home are unable and unwilling to do that- they are held hostage by this government.
Thanks
Thanks
Han you know that DMRI was registered in the 1990’s under uwp right? That’s way before Skerrit time!!!! You also know that this is a legal Company and is independent from the Government and people of Dominica right?
And i guess you also know that Skerrit is not an Administrator or Director or Shareholder of this Company right???
Joe I am not here to educate, convince or change your cult following view of your ‘Skerrit’. That ship has sailed away a long time ago. Time will take care of that just as did with Mobutu, Mugabe, the Duvalier’s and the other scoundrels.
But please look at the two links from DNO past article just about the time when your Skerrit was exposed and things came to light. What was she doing in Greece I must ask you? You don’t even know and you are talking….. go figure…. I love my PM……….
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/pm-skerrit-on-working-visit-to-greece/
Boy these spin doctors are even more dangerous than Skerrit. @ Joe, did the violation take place in 1990 under Uwp or in 2015, under Skerrit? @ Joe did you realize the report stated that it was their first offence? @ Joe while it is an independent company the present government of Dominica is implicated. @ Joe I also hope Edison James was not an administrator or director when that happened. Joe for the sake of Dominica STOP SPINNING AND MISS LEADING THE PEOPLE
can you tell us then JOE who are the shareholders administrators and directors of DMRI. This company may have been registered under UWP in the 1990’s but the article above is in relation to corruption in the 20th century i.e now which in turn draws the suspicion on the present government. You seriously trying to bring UWP into this nonsense nearly 20 years later come on man. PS I await your response as to who is running this organisation now, due to the fact that you are adamant that it has nothing to do with the one man government and his merry men.
So are you saying that this company/organization is privately owned? And though it holds’ the Commonwealth of Dominica as part of its name and on their site or national crest and our flag is being portrayed it has nothing to do with Dominica, nothing to do with the people or the government of Dominica? Ummmm okay!
Oh another thing, you said it was established by UWP in the 1990’s, BUT its only in 2015 that this company that has nooooo governmental affiliation gets embroiled in fraudulent activities/ sanction busting! WELL THAT SAYS A LOT!!!!….from the 1990’s NOTHING….then 2015 OIL BUSTING SANCTIONS!!!
Note!! The notice was issues to the US company AND not Dominica. The US company was given a 25 year exclusive license by Edison ands the UWP! As a US company it and no other person violated, in a minor way, the sanctions.
How about the tankers, I believe twelve of them, all flying our flag with Portsmouth as their homeport painted on their behind and operated by a company from Singapore. Dr. Thomson Fontaine mentioned all by name and said they were suspect in that oil sanction busting scheme wit Monfared. Government never commented or denied it which tells me a lot.
@ Joe, you must be dotish so let me see if I can use a practical analogy to help you understand the problem. Joe, I bought a car in the 1990’s and legally licensed it in the commonwealth of Dominica. In 2000 I migrated and left the car for my brother, who also migrated and left the same car for our younger brother. But in 2015 our younger brother used the same car that I legally registered to transport cocaine and the car was ceased by the government. Who then is at fault, is it me for registering it or my brother who was caught using the car to carry cocaine? I bet you will say is my brother and you are correct! That’s what happened here ok, so stop making a fool of yourself man. Here is another one; In the 90’s UWP rightfully and legally gave birth to WORLD CREOLE MUSIC FESTIVAL. They left office in 2000 and ever since the DLP has maintained it. Should it bring a profit of $15 million dollars into our economy in 2018, would you give the credit to UWP or to Skerrit? I bet is…
Joe you are silly. By your reckoning the Maritime Registry has been operating far longer under Skerrit’s regime than any other leader. What is more, this offence occurred while he was in office. He is also closely connected with our Consul in Athene, Greece, who in turn is in partnership with Lennox Lawrence. I would never vote for Edison James but to try and link him with this is absurd and bizarre.
And your point Joe is what? Under the DFP the economic Citizenship Program was established, How many scondrels were arrested, been sought by Internal Law Enforcement, and how many persons for whom extradiction orders were issued under the DFP. None that I am aware of The point is that it is not the establishment of the sector, it is the compliance and/or non compliance of the principles policy, procedures, and laws and regulations governing its operations. We all know that Skerrit and his gang have difficulty with complying with laws and protocol
if you used to listen to angelo you would know well that certain labour party hacks went wherever to register decommissioned tankers in places like Vietnam. these lawyers from portsmouth did not only see money but they are aware they were doing something illegal. not because the rights were given to a company in the usa under uwp does not mean ….,
So Han, because you do not like Skeritt you want to boycott an occasion that will benefit all Dominicans. That is pure wickedness/. The benefit is not for Skerrit , he has nothing to gain from it. You are nothing but a hater and a traitor.
Han, please don’t tell people what to do. Thanks for the information. I’m going to be at the concert on December 12, whether you like it or not…I’m going to be there.
Your hatred for the PM is stronger than the love for your people. You seriously asking people to boycott the event? I’m pretty sure you’re not in Dominica or wasn’t there when the hurricane hit or you would have never said that.
Is the government putting a gun to people head to make them do what they don’t want to do ?Can you tell me how the people of DA are being held hostage by the Government.Get your facts right HATER.
All skeritt have to do is call it fake news…
I will not say much here except to say that this accusation reminds me of Matthew 24:8, which reads: “All these are the beginning of sorrows” and it’s going to get very ugly and nasty at a time when we need help from the US to help us rebuild after Maria. No individual has been implicated so far but definitely the GOVERNMENT of DOMINICA has been implicated. So let’s stay tune people because some of us are like doubting Thomas, who only believes when he sees and feels. But some of us are so bad that even after we see and feel we still look for ways to spin things around. Be careful folks! Be Ready Dominica because “All these are the beginning of sorrows” we shall have to deal with
Fake news Mr Devil advocate. The GOVERNMENT OF DOMINICA cannot be implicated. The boat even registered in Dominica is not the property of DOMINICA. Just like a car it has to be registered to operate , that does not make it any government property. So if the ship was caught in the drug trade Dominica would be made responsible….Ha ha ha more fake news by opposition forces.
Dude You claim to be an evangelists and can quote the bible to support your statement, I am just a poor sinner but I can say that the bible say that there will always be trial and tribulations as long as we are on this earth. Everyone of Jesus apostles met violent deaths, including Mathew. We have had sorrows even before Mathew, even before boats were registered.
@ Emile, When Jesus cast out demons they said it was with the power of Belzebub so I am not surprised you attacked me so viciously for speaking the truth. NO I SHALL NOT REFER TO YOU AS MR> DEVIL advocate, because you are not though you are consciously defending what you know is wrong. By the way I have said several times that I am not an Evangelist I have used this name because of the things the well known local Evangelist said and publicly supported.
So Mr Evangelists you do not know what a devil advocate is. Try a search please.
Am I surprised to read an article like that? No, not one little bit. A government that tells its citizens that the state doesn’t owe Venezuela any money even though Venezuela stated not long ago that the 100M US$ Dominica owes Venezuela has been written off, can not be trusted and should not be trusted. Right now we see only the tip of the iceberg in as far as what our PM has been up to in recent years. One day we will know the full extent and I’m sure it will make very bad reading. How on earth can a country be so ignorant and blind.
The country is not ignorant and blind Mr Rossnof. We just do not believe in what you and your fellow opposition forces have to say. We can see your hidden motive. We can facts check. We can notice and analizse . The world today is an open book and we can read. We can access the internet and we can view world news. For example opposition forces we celebrating that the PM cannot go to the USA because police is looking for him. Opposition forces followed him to the USA right to the UN to see if he was really in the USA for themselves. There are many other instances where their propaganda and fake news have been exposed for what it is….lies and dam lies.
boy one man government and one man on DNO speaking for his PM Emile Dominique, what a combination.
Ask Edison James he gave them a 25 years lease which is still in effect.
Note!! The notice was issues to the US company AND not Dominica. The US company was given a 25 year exclusive license by Edison and the UWP! As a US company it and no other person violated, in a minor way, the sanctions.
So according to you we let foreign ships, mostly rust buckets, use our flag and have then registered in our own Portsmouth without receiving a benefit? Some of us may be dense but not all of us my friend!
Let’s make some connections here because I’ve always heard that justice delayed is NOT justice denied: let’s try to make the connection: From what we have been hearing it is alleged that there are three BIG names behind that on going oil for gold sanction case, for which DOMINICA was accused of violating for helping Iran evade sanctions: Babak Zanjani, Reza Zarrab and Aliereza Monfared. Babak Zanjani is a rich Iranian billionaire who has been sentenced to death by Iran for corruption. Reza Zarrab has been arrested by the US and is believed to have entered into a plea deal with the US and if that is the case, expect some dirty laundry to be exposed in that oil-for-gold Iran sanctions case. 3. We have Aliereza Monfared, who resided in DA for six months before he was arrested by Iran and is now in jail. Remember Monfared was a citizen of Dominica and a very good friend of our government to the point PM said he was a good gentleman from Malaysia that loved DA and wanted to help us.
So Skerrit had a friend who was arrested so that makes him a bad person. So what does the association with the UN , the USAID, and Prince Charles make him ? What does the support of all the CARICOM states make him. What does the 225 leaders of the world in the UN make him. A WORLD LEADER.
Emile is so you connecting dots? Did I ever say PM was a bad person by association? Maybe you think so and that’s your deceptive way of saying so. The dots I do want you to connect is that of the three main men alleged to be involved in the oil sanction case and where they are today and what this sanction against Dominica might be leading to. I said: 1. Babak Zanjani is an Iranian citizen and has been given death sentence for what the Iranian judge described as “corruption against the earth” among other charges. 2. We have the banker -Reza Zarrab now in US custody and is believed to have entered into a plea deal with the US. Who knows what he may have revealed? I hope the US treasury did not accuse us based on what he might have revealed to them 3. We have our own boy Aliereza Monfared who is now jailed in Iran. We know he was a friend of the PM and PM told us that he is a good GENTLEMAN and he is from Malaysia. However we now know he was a wanted fugitive from Iran
You forgot to mention Lennox Lawrence and his business partner, mr.Vardikos. A Greek lawyer and special advisor to P.M. Skerrit, as Well as our Hon. Consul to Greece. Apparently they are major players in putting foreign vessels on th Dominica register. I clearly remember Angelo Allen giving u’s details that were never challenged.
Why is such an office based in MA? We must be children of a lesser God.
No surprises here!
Hmmmmm…. Very Interesting, only time will tell.
Captain the ship is sinking, captain the seas are rough
Just now, so this is a penalty for 2015….. but in 2016 another tanker called Swift was once again arrested in Vietnam waters for illegal cargo; oil from Iran…….WEYYYYY BWOYYYYY LOOK IT IN THAT SMALL ISLAND OF DOMINICA…… SO ANOTHER PENALTY COMING
https://www.fleetmon.com/vessels/swift_9129213_60403/?language=en
http://thedominican.net/2017/01/oil-tankers-carrying-dominica-flag.html
QUESTION: THE MONEY BEING MADE FROM THIS MARITIME REGISTRY, WHERE IS IT GOING TO????
Never heard of moneys from Maritime Registry mentioned in any parliament hearing, or national budget reading hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm BELLE BEF
Ask Edison James
Note!! The notice was issues to the US company AND not Dominica. The US company was given a 25 year exclusive license by Edison and the UWP! As a US company it and no other person violated, in a minor way, the sanctions.
Edison has not been in office of the PM for how long now?
Remember when this US anti fraud blogger accused Skerrit of aiding in busting oil sanctions….. remember???….now can you recall Tony’s written response which was posted right here on DNO ….. Tony did not denied or admitted this was true but what he did indicate that Dominica is a sovereign state, therefore is not bonded by any US sanctions!
Now tell me who again I am suppose to ask questions to concerning this hoopla!!!!!
All the secrets coming out with the PM and his crew dirty work. Soon they shall catch up to these croaks
This is just the beginning of trouble at a time when we are desperately in need of help. During Erica in 2015, it was NG Lap Seng and Diezani Madueke; today it is the DOMINICA Skerrit claims to be in love with, while those who condemn what he is doing are enemies of state is now being destroyed by hurricane Skerrit. The longer we wait to fire Skerrit the more destruction we will have to deal with
Dominica already finish garson, If all you wanted to save the country the government should’ve been changed since 2008. To late now the cancer spread
Skerrit and Tone-Tone have that country hanging by its *alls upside down but still the red cool aid drinkers and parasites shamelessly LOVE their incompetent PM. We need to hear from the PM ASAP on this rather troubling development. Those who mess with the Tiger called USA usually ends up in its stomach. Somebody needs to come clean.
Assertive like the rod of Moses!
I didn’t when know that Dominica has an international maritime registry
That’s what happens when you only listen to laundered News on DBS and Kairi.
What revenue that Maritime Registry bringing to us ?
where those funds going .
I jus wish somebody could leave a trail to explain all that to the ordinary hard working Dominican who seeing mizzierre dere
Too many filters ein .
Strainers all over the treasury, and nobody saying look this that came in,look this that go out and look dere it go . I tell you, sucking salt was a true prediction, she knows exactly what she was talking about , then she ran away ; not her, she not staying dere to suck no salt with allu .
Rough seas ahead
trouble on the horizon
We being watched for true then .
oh oh
i dow like that