---
title: "Video Dispatches from The Outlaw Ocean (Episode 4)"
description: "The Magic Pipe: Accidental oil spills make big news. But every three years, ships intentionally dump more oil than the Exxon Valdez and BP spills combined."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "THE OUTLAW OCEAN PROJECT"
author: "Ian Urbina"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/ian-urbina/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-05-09-video-dispatches-from-the-outlaw-ocean-episode-4/"
published: "2023-05-09T20:45:55"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 103
---

# Video Dispatches from The Outlaw Ocean (Episode 4)

> The Magic Pipe: Accidental oil spills make big news. But every three years, ships intentionally dump more oil than the Exxon Valdez and BP spills combined.

By Ian Urbina · Published 9 May 2023, 22:45 SAST

## Key points
- From toxic waste disposal to plastic pollution, the third episode of Daily Maverick's "Video Dispatches from The Outlaw Ocean" reveals the darker side of life out at sea.
- Luxury cruise ships use ‘Magic Pipes’ to get rid of toxic waste below the water line.
- The history of dumping at sea and the curse of plastic pollution are explored.
- Ecological consequences of environmental crimes are discussed.
- Watch previous instalments of Video Dispatches from The Outlaw Ocean and join Daily Maverick's The Gathering Earth Edition.

## Content

This episode investigates how some luxury cruise ships routinely use “Magic Pipes” to get rid of toxic waste below the water line, and how they rarely get caught.

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLsM5uYYGiM)

We also take a broader look at the history of dumping at sea, the curse of plastic pollution and the sobering ecological consequences of environmental crimes that have only recently come into scientific focus. **DM**

**Watch the previous instalments:**

[**Video Dispatches from The Outlaw Ocean (Episode 1)**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-17-video-dispatches-from-the-outlaw-ocean-episode-1/)

[**Video Dispatches from The Outlaw Ocean (Episode 2)**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-26-video-dispatches-from-the-outlaw-ocean-episode-2/)

**[Video Dispatches from The Outlaw Ocean (Episode 3)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-05-02-video-dispatches-from-the-outlaw-ocean-episode-3/)**

*For tickets to Daily Maverick’s The Gathering Earth Edition, click [here](https://www.quicket.co.za/events/200475-the-gathering-e-edition-energy-esg-earth-economics-ecosystem/#/).*

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REeWvTRUpMk)