Khark 5 Oil Spill: The 1989 Maritime Disaster
In December 1989, the maritime world witnessed a critical environmental crisis when the tanker Khark 5 suffered a catastrophic hull failure. Sailing through heavy weather in the Atlantic Ocean, the vessel became the center of a complex international salvage operation and an environmental race against time to protect the coastlines of North Africa.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
On 19 December 1989, while positioned approximately 400 miles (640 km) north of the Canary Islands and 112 miles (180 km) west of Morocco, the Khark 5 experienced a hull rupture that triggered a powerful explosion. The blast breached two of the ship's fourteen oil tanks, forcing all 35 crewmembers to abandon the vessel. They were subsequently rescued by the Soviet cargo ship Sarny.
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Following the explosion, the Dutch marine salvage firm Smit Tak was contracted to recover the tanker. A firefighting team successfully extinguished the onboard fires by 21 December. However, they discovered a massive hull breach measuring approximately 60 feet (18 m) by 90 feet (27 m), which proved difficult to repair in the volatile sea conditions.
Challenges in Salvage and Diplomacy
The recovery efforts were hampered by geopolitical tensions and financial disputes. Both Spain and Morocco denied requests to tow the Khark 5 into calmer waters off their respective coasts. According to Smit Tak, these denials prolonged the repair process, as the ship remained exposed to heavy seas. Multiple attempts to tow the vessel in December failed when the tow cables snapped under the pressure of the weather.
Adding to the delay, French environmental minister Brice Lalonde noted that operations were further stalled while Smit Tak negotiated payment terms with the Iranian state-owned oil company.
Environmental Impact and Containment
As the vessel drifted, the Moroccan government attempted to contain the leaking oil, though initial efforts were largely ineffective. By 1 January 1990, the situation reached a critical point: the oil slick covered roughly 230 square miles (600 km²) and its leading edge was only 17 miles (27 km) from the Moroccan shore. The Khark 5 itself was adrift about 45 miles (72 km) from the coast.
Morocco issued a public appeal for international aid, which was answered by Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal. Several hundred responders deployed a combination of strategies to mitigate the disaster:
- Chemical dispersants were used to break apart the oil slick.
- Containment barriers were laid to prevent the oil from spreading further.
- Mechanical recovery was used to pull oil directly from the water.
These human efforts, aided by natural evaporation in sunny weather and wave-driven dispersion, ensured that the majority of the oil dispersed before it could reach the shoreline.
Final Recovery and Resolution
By 3 January, Smit Tak successfully took the Khark 5 under tow, moving her 110 miles (180 km) off the Moroccan coast toward calmer waters in the southwest. After an estimated 70,000 tons of oil had spilled into the ocean, workers finally managed to seal the hull breach. After being denied entry to Portuguese waters at Madeira, the salvage team continued towing the tanker toward the Cape Verde Islands.
Key Facts
- Date of Incident: 19 December 1989.
- Location: North of the Canary Islands, west of Morocco.
- Total Oil Spilled: Approximately 70,000 tons.
- Hull Breach Size: 60 feet by 90 feet (18 m x 27 m).
- Crew Status: 35 crewmembers rescued by the Soviet ship Sarny.
- Slick Area: Approximately 230 square miles (600 km²) at its peak.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Khark 5 |
| Salvage Company | Smit Tak (Dutch) |
| Primary Cause | Hull rupture and explosion |
| International Aid | Britain, France, Spain, Portugal |
| Final Destination | Towed toward Cape Verde Islands |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many crew members were on the Khark 5?
There were 35 crewmembers on board, all of whom abandoned the ship following the explosion and were rescued by the Soviet cargo ship Sarny.
What caused the delay in repairing the hull breach?
The delays were caused by heavy seas, the refusal of Spain and Morocco to allow the ship into calmer coastal waters, the snapping of tow cables, and payment negotiations between Smit Tak and the Iranian state-owned oil company.
How much oil leaked into the ocean?
It is estimated that approximately 70,000 tons of oil spilled from the tanker before the breach was sealed.
How was the oil slick managed before it hit the coast?
Responders from Morocco and Europe used chemicals to break up the slick and laid barriers to stop its spread. Natural dispersion via waves and evaporation also helped prevent the majority of the oil from reaching the shore.
Where was the Khark 5 eventually towed?
After being denied entry to Portuguese waters at Madeira, the vessel was towed toward the Cape Verde Islands.