Amazzone
On the night of 30 January 1988, the Italian oil tanker the Amazzone,
en route from Anvers, lost a number of bunker covers in a storm
off the coast of Finistère. The vessel made her way up the
Ushant Traffic Separation Scheme without warning the French authorities,
leaving a trail of 2100 tonnes of crude oil in her wake. Over the
following weeks, 450 km of coastline, from South Finistère
to Cotentin, were hit by the slicks. The Polmar Sea Plan for the
Atlantic and the Polmar Land Plans for Finistère, the Côtes
d'Armor and the Channel were activated.
Shipping routes off the coast of Brittany. (Click to enlarge)
| Characteristics of the pollutant |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Libyan oil, paraffinic |
| Quantity | 2100 tonnes spilled from a cargo of 32,000 tonnes |
| Form | Reverse
emulsion with oil (incorporating 65 % water) Not chemically dispersible |
| Viscosity | 27.9
cSt at 82.2100 °C 110.5 cSt at 50 °C |
| Appearance at 20°C | Solid at room temperature |
| Relative density | High at room temperature |
| Flash point | 36°C |
Name: Amazzone
Date: 30 January 1988
Location: France
Accident area: off the coast of Finistère, Western Brittany
Cause of spill: damage to ship
Quantity transported: 32,000 tonnes
Type of pollutant: crude oil, paraffinic
Quantity spilled: 2,100 tonnes
Ship type: oil tanker
Date built: 1972
Length: 290 m
Width: 39 m
Flag: Italian
Owner: Misano Italy
Last update: April 2006