Bungle made tanker accident a disaster

Article Abstract:

The Sea Empress, a 147,000 tonne tanker which ran aground off Milford Haven in south-west Wales in Feb 1996, was grounded for seven days rather than two because of bureaucratic problems and mismanagement, according to a report due to be published shortly by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. It is believed that the charts being used by the pilot to guide the tanker into the harbour were inaccurate, and the tanker therefore hit rocks. The report will put the government under strong pressure to look again at procedures aimed at protecting the coastline from pollution danger.

author: Cusick, James
Investigations, Marine accidents

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But who takes the blame?

Article Abstract:

The tanker Sea Empress has finally been pulled off rocks at St Ann's Head, near Milford Haven, Wales, but continues to leak oil. More than 70,000 tonnes of crude oil has been discharged from the striken vessel since it first became grounded, and considerable environmental damage has been caused. There is much debate about where the responsibility for the disaster lies, as the ship is registered in Cyprus, owned by a Norwegian and managed from Scotland.

author: Cusick, James, Fowler, Rebecca, Victor, Peter

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Chinese takeaway called to the rescue

Article Abstract:

Anglo-Dutch salvage experts have so far failed to free the supertanker Sea Empress, which has broken loose from its anchors and is grounded very close to cliffs on the Dyfed coast in south-west Wales. The ship has been losing large quantities of oil, and a three-mile slick has already developed. This presents a serious danger to wildlife in the area, which is the only coastal national park in Britain.

author: Fowler, Rebecca

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subjects list: Safety and security measures, Tankers, Tankers (Ships), Environmental aspects, Oil spills
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