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Behavior of Oil
Bantry Bay, Ireland
| Subject |
Behavior of Oil |
| Posting Date |
1979-Jan-08 |
The Mixed Arabian crude oil contained in the vessel had an API gravity of about
36.5, and a viscosity of 23 centistokes at 20 degrees C. The oil that was
released from the tanker burned as it leaked until the fire went out late on
January 8. On January 9, a slick began to form, and oil impacted the east shore
of Bantry Bay and Reenydonagan Point on Whiddy Island. Inspections revealed
that 37 barrels of oil per hour was leaking from the wreck. Oil leaked at this
rate for a week. On January 12, the oil impacted the north and south shores of
Bantry Bay. By the next day the oil had spread as far west as Castle Townbere
on the north shore of the bay, and League Point on the south shore. Bear Island
was also impacted.