Amazzone

01/30/1988
France

On the night of 30 January 1988, the Italian oil tanker the Amazzone, en route from Anvers, lost a number of bunker covers in a storm off the coast of Finistère. The vessel made her way up the Ushant Traffic Separation Scheme without warning the French authorities, leaving a trail of 2100 tonnes of crude oil in her wake. Over the following weeks, 450 km of coastline, from South Finistère to Cotentin, were hit by the slicks. The Polmar Sea Plan for the Atlantic and the Polmar Land Plans for Finistère, the Côtes d'Armor and the Channel were activated.

Shipping routes off the coast of Brittany.
Shipping routes off the coast of Brittany.

Nature et caractéristiques du polluant

Type

Libyan oil, paraffinic

Quantity

2100 tonnes spilled from a cargo of 32,000 tonnes

Form

Reverse emulsion with oil (incorporating 65 % water)
Not chemically dispersible

Viscosity

27.9 cSt à 82,2100°C 110,5 cSt à 50°C

Appearance at 20°C

Solid at room temperature

Relative density

High at room temperature

Flash point

36°C

Spill areaOpen sea
Quantity transported32, 000 tonnes
Pollutant typecrude oil, paraffinic
Quantity spilled2, 100 tonnes
Construction year1972
Length290 m
Width39 m
FlagItalian
OwnerMisano Italy

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