Archived press release

Report shows catalogue of accidents and near misses since sea empress disaster

8 April 1997

Accidents and dangerous incidents involving oil tankers are frequent at Milford Haven port,despite the disastrous oil spill following the grounding of the Sea Empress [1] in February 1996, documents recently obtained from the Department of Transport by Friends of the Earth [2] reveal.

Between February 1996 and February 1997, there have been:

. 4 reported accidents involving tankers and 1 involving a gas carrier.

. 8 "Hazardous incidents" involving tankers.

Friends of the Earth has written to the Department of Transport requesting further details of each of these incidents.

Tony Juniper, Campaigns Director of Friends of the Earth, said:
"We are extremely alarmed to learn that despite the Sea Empress oil spill,potentially disastrous incidents are still occurring in Milford Haven. Friends of the Earth will closely examine them all to see whether the authorities - including the Department of Transport - have learnt anything from the environmental disaster that happened there last year."

FOE is also examining accident reports of incidents prior to the Sea Empress grounding to see whether there might have been any warnings that could have prevented the February 1996 disaster. Any such incidents - or near misses - are likely to be of interest to any legal proceedings that might arise from the Sea Empress grounding.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:
[1] The Sea Empress oil tanker ran aground at Milford Haven on February 15th, 1996 spilling 72,000 tonnes of oil. The commercial fishing industry in the area was closed down(the ban still remains partially in force) and the tourist trade was severely affected.

No party has yet been made responsible for the disaster. On the first anniversary of the incident, Friends of the Earth issued an ultimatum to the Environment Agency saying that,if legal proceedings are not taken against all the relevant parties then Friends of the Earth will proceed with its own private action.

[2] The information was obtained under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and the Environmental Information Regulations, 1992.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust