Pilot Blamed for Cosco Busan Bridge Ram, Fuel Spill

The blame for the Cosco Busan spill, that tanker accident that resulted in a huge fuel oil spill last year, seems to rest on the shoulders of the ship's captain pilot, John Cota. Or so says the state pilot commission, who concluded their report today. In addition to flying through the fog and not reading electronic maps correctly, the commission basically said he failed "to exercise sound judgment." Not that they can fire him or anything; Cota surrendered his license and retired on Oct. 1. His federal trial, however, starts in November. (SFGate)