BATH – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed that a New Jersey company pay $360,000 in fines for a fatal accident in December in which a crane slid off a barge into the Kennebec River.

OSHA cited Weeks Marine Inc. of Cranford, N.J., for “willful, repeat and serious” violations of federal safety regulations.

Weeks had been contracted to dredge part of the Kennebec River at Bath Iron Works when a 250-ton crane slid into the river and sank to the bottom. One of the two workers on the crane was presumed drowned.

OSHA’s inspection revealed that the crane had not been secured to the barge, as required by OSHA standards, said C. William Freeman III, OSHA area director for Maine.

He said Weeks Marine failed to ensure that the crane was operating safely, failed to repair or replace malfunctioning equipment and failed to have a boat at the site for emergencies.

“These conditions existed from the onset of the job, almost three weeks before the accident, and the company’s on-site supervisors knew and did nothing to correct these hazards,” Freeman said. “As a result, these violations have been classified as willful, the most severe category of OSHA violation, and the maximum allowed fine – $70,000 – is being proposed for each of these four violations.”

Company officials and the company’s Maine attorney were not immediately available for comment.

The crane fell into the frigid river on Dec. 21 while dredging to make room for a dry dock at Bath Iron Works. The body of Steven Oldham, 48, of Felton, Del., was never recovered.

OSHA’s proposed fines include $280,000 for four willful violations, $10,000 for two serious violations and $70,000 for a repeat violation for failing to provide a ramp or other safe means for employees when crossing from the wharf, barge, float or towboat. OSHA twice cited the company in 1998 for similar violations following inspections at job sites in New York.

Weeks Marine has until June 22 to respond to the citation.

The company can meet with the OSHA area director and attempt to negotiate a settlement or it can contest the citation, which could result in a hearing before an administrative law judge.