Investigation Report
Grounding of oil tanker Sea Empress and the subsequent salvage operation
Grounding of oil tanker Sea Empress and the subsequent salvage operation
- MAIB
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Emergency ResponseMarine Operations
- Environmental protectionHydrocarbon releaseVessel flooding and founderingVessel grounding
- NavigationTowing
- Pumps
- Emergency responseEvacuation, escape and rescueVentilation
- Marine industry
- Port and quaysideVessel
Summary
Investigation of Sea Empress’s grounding and salvage at Milford Haven in February 1996. It examines pilotage, complex tidal streams, tank damage and oil losses, alongside repeated refloating attempts. Salvage measures included towing, pump-room dewatering and ventilation, evacuation, and tank pressurisation before the tanker was brought under control.
Classifications: Environmental protection; environmental safety; pollution prevention.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Vessel flooding and foundering; water ingress.
Classifications: Vessel grounding.
Classifications: Navigation; vessel navigation; passage planning.
Classifications: Towing; towage.
Classifications: Pumps.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Ventilation; forced ventilation.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Port and quayside; quayside; harbour; harbor.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Themes: emergency response, marine operations.