The Braer incident: Shetland islands, January 1993

Abstract

On Tuesday, January 5, 1993, the tanker Braer laden with 84,700 metric tons of Norwegian Gullfaks crude oil drifted aground at Garths Ness, Shetland Islands. Over the next eight days, the vessel's total cargo of crude oil was spilled. The Marine Pollution Control Unit immediately activated the Marine Emergencies Information Room in London and deployed staff to Shetland. It was agreed with Shetland Islands Council to establish a joint response center at Sumburgh Airport to coordinate and control the shoreline cleanup. The incident affected an area of international environmental importance and also threatened the local economy. Because of the lightness of Gullfaks crude and the severe weather, the bulk of the oil dispersed naturally and very little came ashore. The land beyond the shoreline was polluted by airborne oil spray carried on the storm force winds. Aerial spraying of dispersant on oil on the sea took place on three days. Some environmentally sensitive areas were protected by booms and dams. Of the 39 sites considered at risk, only 9 beaches and other sites merited cleaning.