1996 Sea Empress oil spill

At about 8pm on 15 February 1996 the tanker was approaching the narrow, rock-lined entrance channel to Milford Haven under pilotage in otherwise average weather when it missed the centre of the channel and struck the Mid Channel Rocks. Rather than being held firmly aground and stabilised, the ship was refloated on a rising tide so that it could be taken into harbour for offloading and repair, a decision that proved detrimental.

Date

1996-02-15

Tonnes spilled (ITOPF)

72000

What the pin marks

The entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway, Pembrokeshire.

Where the position is published

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Empress_oil_spill

Category: Disasters & Incidents

Tags: tanker, grounding, milford haven, wales, pilotage

Coordinates: 51.6796, -5.1777

Part of The largest oil spills from tankers since 1967

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