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Finistere Peninsula News

13 Dec 1999

Broken-Up Tanker Sinks Off Brittany

The broken-up Maltese-registered tanker Erika, carrying up to 25,000 tons of fuel oil, sank in stormy Atlantic seas off northwestern France on Dec. 3, according to the Cross Maritime Rescue Center. The tanker's stern, which contained most of the oil, sank as it was being towed farther out to sea to try to avoid pollution on Brittany's tourist coast. The bow disappeared earlier beneath the waves, about 24 hours after it split from the stern 45 miles south of Brittany's rugged Finistere Peninsula in 60 mph winds and 20-ft. (6 m) waves. Helicopters rescued the 26 crew members on Dec. 12. Officials said the oil did not pose an immediate threat to the coast.

14 Dec 1999

Officials Fear Environmental Repercussion From Sunken Tanker

A giant oil slick from the sunken tanker Erika drifted and widened off the northwestern French coast on Dec. 14, and officials worry that changing winds could push it towards land. A spokesman for maritime authorities said the slick from the broken up tanker Erika, estimated at 9,000 to 10,000 tons of viscous fuel oil, was extending as it absorbed seawater. Officials insisted that ecological disaster cannot be ruled out on the Brittany coast, where the Amoco Cadiz spilled over one million barrels of oil in 1978. The oil slick was some 25 nautical miles south off the tourist island of Belle-Ile, itself about 16 nautical miles south of Brittany's Finistere Peninsula, and drifting eastwards at .6 mph.

17 Dec 1999

Giant Fuel Oil Slick Threatens French Coast

Authorities along the length of France's Atlantic coast were on alert last Wednesday as a giant fuel oil slick slowly drifted south of Brittany, threatening an ecological disaster. Maritime officials said two navy ships were heading for the slick equipped with floating booms and giant vacuum cleaners to try to contain and pump the oil which escaped from the sunken Maltese-registered tanker Erika. Three more vessels, including a British ship, also equipped with vacuum pumps, were scheduled to join them on Thursday, and a Norwegian ship was due on Friday. Transport Minister Jean-Claude Gayssot said France had also asked for help from Germany and Spain. Despite the international response of equipment and personnel, stormy seas were threatening to hamper the pumping.