LONDON - The Sea Empress, a 147,000 tonne oil tanker, as last night being held a few yards off rocks at Milford Haven in south Vales where it ran aground, almost fully laden.
A major pollution operation got under way after some 6,000 tonnes of North Sea crude oil was believed to have leaked into the sea. Some reports suggested that a four kilometre wide slick of crude oil had spread from St Ann's Head after the spillage. Booms were being put in place to contain the oil.
The ship was being guided into port by a pilot when it ran aground, said the ship's managers Acomarit. They dismissed suggestions of mechanical failure, adding that the ship's skipper reported no problems with the vessel's steering.
The impact fractured several storage tanks. Estimates ranged from between four and nine, on the ship's starboard side. At one stage the vessel was listing 18 degrees, but the crew managed to re ballast some of the tanks to right her.
Animal welfare groups were concerned that the spillage could affect three important grey seal colonies off Pembrokeshire. Two bird sanctuaries, on the island of Skomer and at Skolkholm, which are home to nesting guillemots, shags and puffins, may also be in danger.