Bow Eagle

The incident

On 26 August 2002, the Norwegian chemical tanker Bow Eagle, journeying to Rotterdam, alerts to a hole in her port side which resulted from an allision with the trawler Cistude (4 deaths). 200 tonnes of ethyl acetate leaked, but the risk for marine pollution was considered minor.

Risks linked to the identified cargo

• Ethyl acetate: colourless, volatile solvent, with a noticeable smell, high evaporable in the air, moderately soluble in water, highly flammable, with potentially explosive mixture resulting from the vapours, low toxicity, it was in this case not considered as a high risk for the environment.
• Cyclohexane: stored in a nearby tank, this product is moderately toxic, very evaporable (three times denser than air). In the event of a leak, a flammable and irritating gas cloud will be carried by the wind at the surface of water. Cyclohexane can cause damage to living marine resources in the event of a sudden spill.

Crisis management

• The chemical tanker was escorted to Dunkirk for inspection.
• The crew confessed to knowing about the allision.
• After verification, the Bow Eagle was authorised to complete its journey to Rotterdam, without notable pollution.

Conclusions and developments

• Chemical tankers often transport multiple dangerous products (here, 9 different products, including benzene and toluene).
• Allisions between fishing boats and chemical tankers, although rare, can lead to pollution or major incidents.
• Rigour in risk management helped avoid pollution or a major incident.