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Incident Summary

At approximately 0600 on December 15, 1976, the Liberian tanker Argo Merchant
went aground on Fishing Rip (Nantucket Shoals), 29 nautical miles southeast of
Nantucket Island, Massachusetts in high winds and ten foot seas.  The vessel was
carrying approximately 183,000 barrels of No. 6 Fuel Oil (80%) and cutter stock
(20%).  The master of the Argo Merchant requested permission to dump cargo in an
effort to control draft and re-float the vessel.  Permission was denied and
attempts to lighter and re-float the vessel using emergency pumps and an Air
Deliverable Anti-Pollution Transfer System (ADAPTS) were unsuccessful.  The
following day the weather worsened and the crew of the Argo Merchant was
evacuated.  

On December 17 the vessel began to pivot clockwise and buckle.  On December 21
the vessel broke in two aft of the king post, spilling approximately 36,000
barrels of cargo.  The bow section split forward of the bridge and capsized on
December 22, resulting in the loss of the remaining cargo.  The bow section
floated 400-500 yards to the southeast and was eventually sunk by the USCG while
the stern section remained aground.  Prevailing currents carried the spilled oil
away from the shorelines and beaches of Nantucket.  Weather conditions and
uncharted depths surrounding the wreck made salvage attempts difficult. (USCG
Case History)