Two Coast Guard technicians testified on Monday that they did not warn the tanker and that it had disappeared from radar until the tanker ran aground on March 24 , while detouring around ice in the treacherous Prince William Sound . Blandford said the radar seemed to be deteriorating. Another loaded tanker had taken a similar detour around ice four hours earlier without any problems . The technicians also admitted that the radar was less than reliable . Defense attorneys are emphasizing this testimony in the trial of the Valdez 's captain . The captain faces up to 7 years and 3 months in jail and a $ 61,000 fine .
Two Coast Guard technicians testified on Monday that they did not warn the tanker and that it had disappeared from radar until the tanker ran aground on March 24 , while detouring around ice in the treacherous Prince William Sound . Another loaded tanker had taken a similar detour around ice four hours earlier without any problems . The technicians also admitted that the radar was less than reliable . Defense attorneys are emphasizing this testimony in the trial of the Valdez 's captain . The captain faces up to 7 years and 3 months in jail and a $ 61,000 fine .