Risks of Oil Spill in the North Sea
The death and disappearance of 11 sailors from the Baltic Ace car-carrier after colliding with the container ship Corvus J in the North Sea will be followed by an oil spill. After the tragic human casualties will follow environmental damage. The Baltic Ace wreck contains several tons of propulsion fuel oil and diesel oil. Each of the 1417 cars transported contain around 5 liters of fuel.
A similar accident that happened 10 years ago off Dunkirk had provoked oil sheens around the wreck, 2 days after the sinking of the Tricolor car-carrier. Two months later the assessment of the oiled birds was 5,200 in the north of France, 12,000 in Belgium, and 2,000 in the Netherlands. The coasts of Belgium, Flanders, Calaisis, Boulonnais, the Somme Bay and Normandy have been polluted by hydrocarbons released by the wreck. The nuclear plants in Penly in Normandy and in Gravelines in the north of France have been placed on alert because of the risk of hydrocarbons arriving in the cooling waters.
Today, it would be prudent if the Borssele nuclear plant in the Netherlands adopted the same procedures.
Stop the Gigantics !
Costa Concordia – Press release n°3
Giglio
The Gigantic was the name with which White Star Line christened its 3rd liner. The Gigantic was even bigger than the Titanic.
After the Titanic sank, the company changed its communications strategy, launching the Gigantic under the name Britannic in 1914.
Somewhere between ‘Are you ready?” and “shhh!…The child’s asleep”.
The maritime prefect of the Mediterranean has chosen the right option: the first. They have deployed anti-pollution measures in Corsica to counter the possible arrival of oil from the Costa Concordia wreck. Italy has yet to do the same for Sardinia and the Elba. It is noted here and there that there are recommendations on the use of dispersants. In an environment as fragile and rich in biodiversity, this toxins product is not recommended.
Faced with soothing words from several stakeholders, Robin des Bois emphasises that pollutants and floating debris in the marine sub-region encircled by Italy and France can float hundreds of kilometres.
After 44 years of occupation, the Torrey Canyon liberates l’île d’Er
The BP tanker Torrey Canyon ran aground March 18, 1967 on reefs offshore Cornwall in Great Britain. It transported 120,000 of crude oil. Several Breton fishing ships were eyewitnesses to the crash course of the Torrey Canyon. The majority of the oil slick headed toward the French coast and has left its tracks between Cherbourg and l’île d’Yeu. Northern Brittany was very severely affected. The oil spill has been attacked with detergents. The Defense Ministry organized the battle, the waste being treated as an enemy.
Oil Spill in the North Sea
Early last week the Gannet Alpha platform situated approximately 180km east of Aberdeen, Scotland started leaking light crude oil into the North Sea. To date it is believed that some 218 tonnes (1,300 barrels) of oil has leaked from an 8 inch thick pipeline which joins Gannet E and F drilling fields. The leak was only confirmed a couple of days after it started by the operator Shell. The platform continues to operate but the sub-sea line between Gannet E and F has been isolated and the flow line depressurised which should reduce the leak flow.
