TANKER PRESTIGE OIL SPILL REPORT 09 June 2003 The information in this report has been gleaned from a number of Spanish, French and UK sources. The authenticity of some of these is not easy to quantify and no guarantee can be given that all the information on the subject has been consulted.    It is produced for the benefit of those intending to cruise in 2003 to the southwest coast of France (La Rochelle – Biarritz), the north and northwest coasts of Spain, or to pass on the way south.    This site will be kept in place until September and further updates will be only be promulgated if there are significant developments.   General The Prestige with 77,000 tons of crude oil broke in two and sank while under tow away from the coast in position 42° 10'N 12° 03'W on 19 Nov and now lies at 12,000 feet in two parts about 2M apart some 150M west of Cape Finisterre. A French submersible, in a remarkable operation plugged the holes left in the two parts and reduced the flow to a trickle. There is thought to be some 40,000 tons left in the wreck. The oil is thick black crude which is barely viscous at the temperature at that depth.   Surface oil movement The initial major spillage spread in an ENE direction round the NW corner of Spain, along the N Spanish coast and then up the French west coast as far as La Rochelle. It did not reach the Portuguese border S of Vigo.   Oil characteristics The oil eventually surfaces as a thick black sheet which breaks up under wave action and gradually emulsifies as the lighter fractions evaporate. The heavier the weather, the quicker the process.  Situation ashore 1st June The beaches have all been cleared between La Gironde estuary, down the French west and Spanish north coasts and round the NW corner to the Portuguese border with the following exceptions:    Some 7% of the beaches in Asturias (San Vincente de la Barquera to Ribadeo) are still polluted; there is minor pollution on rocks in Cantabria (Castro Urdiales to San Vincente de la Barquera), Asturias, round the NW corner to the W of La Coruña and on the Atlantic Islands off the rias. In general the oil did not penetrate far up the rias. Fishing from all ports is normal.   Situation for yachting The worst scenario for yachts is to encounter this type of oil at sea – topsides can be cleaned but not sails. Patches of oil tend to attract any floating rubbish or seaweed and grow into rafts especially in calmer weather. These should be watched for in the area. The wreck is reported still to be leaking slowly at 1–2 tons/day. This generally disperses before reaching the coast. The wreck area should be given as wide a berth as possible in passing – either go close inshore or well to the west.    The French submersible is expected to return to the wreck to attempt to plug the remaining minor leaks. The oil firm Repsol is reported as being tasked to remove the remaining cargo from the Prestige.    It is now safe to call in to any Spanish port but some alongside berths may not be too clean in places. A large fender plank and a good supply of diesel fuel or white spirit, rags and kitchen paper should cope with any residual black stuff. The current situation can be found by going to www.rccpf.org.uk and pressing on TANKER PRESTIGE OILSPILL REPORT, or contact John Lawson on john.lawson29@virgin.net with any queries or further information.