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Torrey Canyon runs aground in shoals (Equipment (Supertanker 1000ft. in…
Torrey Canyon runs aground in shoals
Equipment
Lightship (Seven Stones)
600,00 candlepower
Visible for 11 miles
Raytheon 1400 radar
06:30 Scilly Islands sighted
40 mile range
St. Marys Lighthouse
Sperry Auto Steer System
set for 18 degrees N by NE
Control lever with 3 positions automatic, manual and control
1st position automatic position which it was in at 08:30
Allows for course change up to 3 degrees in auto position
2nd or middle position is manual
Major course changes require control lever to be in manual position (middle position)
3rd position is control (all the way forward)
Supertanker 1000ft. in length
deep draft
Carrying 119,193 tons of crude
Ship sags in center when full
pumping done to redistribute cargo fore and aft to straighten ship
Travelling at 16 knots
Well run and maintained
Built in 1959
Expanded to twice capacity
Limited turning capacity when loaded
1550 ft. of travel to turn 20 degrees
Liberian flagged vessel
All Italian crew
Map of area not very detailed
gyro compass
Keeps auto pilot on course
Makes clicks for each degree it passes through
Helm Wheel electronically connected to the rudder
People
Captain Rugiati
Instructed to be notified when Scilly islands were sighted on radar
Entered the bridge 07:00
Experienced sailing the the waters around Cornwall
1st Officer Bonfiglio
Altered course w/o permission
Ordered by captain to resume course of 18 degrees
Helmsman Scotto di Carlo
very experienced
3rd Officer Coccio
27 years of age, inexperienced
Environment
Scilly Islands
Rocky shoals nearby
21 miles off Lands End, Cornwall
Easterly current
Moved ship off course
Milford Haven unloading terminal
shallow harbor
High tide at 23:00 on the 18th March 1967
Seven Stones
Lightship
It is not recommended to navigate six mile wide channel between Seven Stones and the Scillies with a large vessel
Not visible during high tide
St Mary's Lighthouse
08:18 18 March sun is up visibility 10 miles
Third Parties
approx 08:30 two fishing vessels are noted
fishing nets have been deployed
Nets are struck around 08:30
Course adjustmants are made to avoid nets
Organisation
Web of companies and agreements
Attempt to minimise taxes, fees and expenses
Owner Barracuda Tanker Corp
Subsidiary of Union oil
Chartered by British Petroleum
Processes and Procedures
Origional plan to set a course and heading west of Scilly Islands
Redistribute cargo fore and aft to eliminate sag
18 March 1967 18:00 deadline to reach harbour
Missed deadline results in 6 day wait
Costly delay Captain wishes to avoid
Earliest ETA 16:30
It is not recommended to navigate Seven Stones channel with a large vessel
Bearings
07:45 position taken using only one bearing and radar distance measurement
08:12 bearing at 90 degrees from St Mary's lighthouse
Position calculated a 07:09
08:18 position marked by 3rd OfficerCoccio
Headings
18 degrees auto pilot heading morning of March 18th 1967 at 08:00
plan to change course to 325 degrees to navigate Seven Stones channel then return to 18 degree course
approx. 08:20 Captain changes course from 18 degrees to 15 degrees
approx. 08:28 auto pilot engaged at 12 degrees setting
approx. 08 33 course change through 10 degrees then chaged to 13 degrees when more nets sighted
08:40 it is realised that they are only 2.8 miles from South Stone (of Seven Stones)
Rugiati disables auto pilot and switches lever to manual and steers course to 0 degrees then reengages autopilot
Emergency course through 350 to 320 degrees is taken
The lack of clicks from gyro compass alerts Captain that something is wrong
Helmsan alerts Captain ship is not turning
captain begins to check off possibilitie limiting ship from truning (fuses, pumps)
Captain realises control lever is not in manual position limiting the amount the ship can turn
Captain puts lever in manual and attempts to turn
The ship runs aground
Change of watch every 4 hours
New watch at 08:00 on 18th March