Irenes Challenge
On
18 January 1977, the Liberian oil tanker Irenes Challenge left Punta
Cardon in Venezuela for Yokkaichi in Japan. The vessel sprung a leak,
causing her to break in two in the Pacific Ocean. The two parts of
the vessel drifted and sank two days later, after 28 of the 31 crew
members had been saved from one section of the wreck and the 3 remaining
members from the other section.
34,000 tonnes of oil, i.e. 250,000 barrels, were
spilled during the incident, causing significant pollution. An estimated
70 miles of coastline was affected.
Name: Irenes Challenge
Date: 18 January 1977
Location: France
Accident area: Midway Island, Pacific
Cause of spill: damage to ship
Quantity transported: 34,000 tonnes
Type of pollutant: light crude oil
Quantity spilled: 34,000 tonnes
Ship type: oil tanker
Date built: 1956
Length: 193.65 m
Width: 26.62 m
Flag: Liberian
Owner: Devon Maritime, Ltd.
Last update: July 2007