U.K. presses charges over oil spill

The U.K. government's Environment Agency has begun criminal proceedings against Milford Haven Port Authority and the Milford Haven harbor master following last year's Sea Empress oil spill. More than 70,000 metric tons of crude oil spilled in the sea off Southwest Wales and polluted 35 miles of coastline. The tanker ran aground three times in a bungled rescue attempt (OGJ, Mar. 4, 1996, p. 41). The authorities and harbor master are being charged with endangering the marine and coastal

July 28, 1997

The U.K. government's Environment Agency has begun criminal proceedings against Milford Haven Port Authority and the Milford Haven harbor master following last year's Sea Empress oil spill.

More than 70,000 metric tons of crude oil spilled in the sea off Southwest Wales and polluted 35 miles of coastline.

The tanker ran aground three times in a bungled rescue attempt (OGJ, Mar. 4, 1996, p. 41).

The authorities and harbor master are being charged with endangering the marine and coastal environment, posing a danger to the public, and polluting controlled waters.

Critical report

At the same time, but not related to the court action, the Department of Transport's Marine Accident Investigations Branch (MAIB) published a report critical of personnel actions allegedly related to the spill.

Among MAIB's worrying conclusions are that the pilot was inadequately trained and lacked experience, the ship's master failed to keep an adequate watch, and no one involved understood the tidal flow in Milford Haven.