1979 Atlantic Empress oil spill

At seven in the evening on 19 July 1979, during a tropical rainstorm off Tobago, the bow of the loaded very large crude carrier Aegean Captain struck a glancing blow into the side of the Atlantic Empress, which was carrying Saudi crude towards Beaumont, Texas. Fire engulfed the Atlantic Empress and the bow of the Aegean Captain, killing 26 crew. The burning Atlantic Empress was taken under tow out to sea, trailing a partly burning slick; on 2 August the wreck took on a list, the discharge increased and the tow was cast off.

Date
1979-07-19
Tonnes spilled (ITOPF)
287000
What the pin marks
Where she sank on 3 August 1979, after the collision off Tobago on 19 July.
Where the position is published
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Atlantic_Empress

Category: Disasters & Incidents

Tags: tanker, collision, caribbean, fire, tobago

Coordinates: 13.083, -55.467

Part of The largest oil spills from tankers since 1967

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