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Accidents

Prestige (2002)

The tanker Prestige suffered structural damage in heavy weather off the coast of Spain, was towed offshore after requests for a place of refuge were refused, broke in two and sank on 19 November 2002. The casualty caused serious oil pollution of the Spanish and French coasts.

Classification

  • Incident Type: Sinking
  • Severity: High
  • Investigation Body: Bahamas Maritime Authority

Vessel Details

FieldValue
Vessel NamePrestige
Vessel TypeTanker
Flag StateBahamas [BS]
IMO Number7372141
Gross Tonnage42820
LOA (m)243.49
Breadth (m)34.41
Year Built1976
Crew Size27
Cargo76,972 tonnes of fuel oil

Incident Details

FieldValue
Date2002-11-19
LocationAbout 130 miles off the northwest coast of Spain
Coordinates42.210000, -12.065000
RegionSpain
Fatalities0
Injuries0
Missing0
Vessels Lost1
Direct DamageThe tanker broke in two and sank.
OutcomePrestige broke in two and sank after structural damage, causing serious oil pollution of the Spanish and French coasts; no fatalities or injuries were reported.

Key facts

  • A large wave struck Prestige at about 15:10 on 13 November 2002 in heavy weather near the Finisterre Traffic Separation Scheme.
  • The tanker rapidly developed a starboard list; the report identifies a probable initial breach in the side structure of No. 3 starboard wing tank.
  • Twenty-four crew members were evacuated by helicopter on 13 November; the master, chief officer and chief engineer initially remained aboard.
  • Requests for a place of refuge were refused, and the vessel was ordered to be moved offshore, including to about 120 miles from the Spanish coast.
  • Prestige broke in two and sank on 19 November, releasing oil that seriously polluted the Spanish and French coasts.

Narrative

Prestige was a 26-year-old Bahamian-registered single-hull tanker carrying 76,972 tonnes of fuel oil. On 13 November 2002, the vessel entered the Finisterre Traffic Separation Scheme in heavy weather while bound for Gibraltar for orders. At about 15:10, a large wave struck the vessel and a loud bang was heard. The tanker rolled to starboard and rapidly developed a list that reached about 20 degrees.

The report identifies a probable initial breach in the side structure of No. 3 starboard wing tank, followed by damage involving No. 2 starboard after wing tank and adjacent structure. The master ordered two port wing tanks to be flooded by gravity, reducing the list to about 5 degrees by 22:00. Oil nevertheless escaped through displaced tank covers and damaged cargo spaces. The report discusses possible additional weaknesses, including earlier contact damage, fatigue, transverse bulkhead failure, steel replacement and corrosion, but does not establish one certain initiating defect.

Twenty-four crew members were evacuated by helicopter during the afternoon of 13 November. The master, chief officer and chief engineer remained aboard, and a salvage operation was arranged. The master and the Smit Salvage master requested a place of refuge so that the vessel could be sheltered and its cargo transferred. Spanish authorities refused the requests and directed that Prestige be taken offshore, including an instruction to move it about 120 miles from the Spanish coast.

The vessel was towed in deteriorating weather. Salvage personnel and the remaining crew were later evacuated, while the tanker continued under tow. On 19 November, Prestige buckled and broke in two. The aft section sank at about 11:45 and the forward section at about 16:15 in approximately 3,600 m of water. The report states that there was no loss of life or injury, but a large amount of oil was released and serious pollution affected the Spanish and French coasts.

Sequence of events

Date/timeEvent
2002-11-13 15:10 localA large wave struck Prestige near the Finisterre Traffic Separation Scheme and the tanker developed a severe starboard list.
2002-11-13 about 18:00 localTwenty-four crew members were evacuated by helicopter; the master, chief officer and chief engineer remained aboard.
2002-11-13 22:00 localFlooding of port wing tanks had reduced the list to about 5 degrees.
2002-11-15The remaining ship personnel and salvage team were evacuated.
2002-11-19 11:45 localThe aft section of Prestige sank after the vessel broke in two.
2002-11-19 16:15 localThe forward section sank in approximately 3,600 m of water.

Contributing factors

FactorEvidence statusDescription
Structural weakness exposed by heavy weatherReportedThe investigation identifies a large wave revealing a probable weakness in No. 3 starboard wing tank as the likely trigger for the initial breach.
Possible pre-existing structural deficienciesSuspectedThe report discusses possible contributions from contact damage, fatigue, transverse bulkhead failure, steel replacement and corrosion without selecting one certain mechanism.
Offshore movement in deteriorating weatherConfirmed findingPrestige was ordered to remain offshore and was towed while the hull’s condition progressively deteriorated.
Refusal of a place of refugeReportedThe report concludes that granting a place of refuge could have produced a more favourable outcome and may have prevented the subsequent large-scale coastal pollution.

Investigation

The Bahamas Maritime Authority investigated the loss of Prestige and published its report in 2004. The report concluded that a large wave probably exposed a weakness in the No. 3 starboard wing tank, after which structural damage progressed while the tanker was moved offshore and towed in heavy weather. It recorded no fatalities or injuries, serious pollution of the Spanish and French coasts, and the vessel’s break-up and sinking on 19 November 2002.

References

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