Site Record

The tanker was refloated and towed away.

Event and Historical Information:
The SEA EMPRESS was a steel-hulled tanker built by Astilleros Espanoles at Cadiz in 1993. Technical and configuration specifications are given as 77356gt, 45731nt; 900ft (274m) length x 138ft 6in (42m) breadth x 72ft 3in (22m) depth; screw propulsion powered by a 6cyl engine producing 45731hp. At time of stranding, the vessel was owned by Alegrete Shipping Co. Inc, Liberia. Whilst entering Milford Haven in strong wind conditions, this motor tanker got off course and tore a hole in its hull on a rock, which caused the release of some 72,000 tonnes of North Sea crude oil. Attempts to free the tanker were hampered by bad weather and falling tide, and it was nearly a week before it was eventually moved from the rocks at Saint Ann's Head. It was considered that the accident hit the tourist industry in West Wales and affected fishing for more than six months. The clean up operation cost in excess of £100m.

Sources include:
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Lloyds List, numerous reports at various dates including 17-18 and 24 July 1997 and 13 January 1999
Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping, 1 July 1996 - 30 June 1997, number 8906999 in S

WWW resources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/06/uk_the_sea_empress_disaster/html/1.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/sites/seaempress/pages/slideshow.shtml?16

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, May 2010.