This Sunday, November 13, 20 years of the biggest marine ecological disaster in Spain in recent years. The sinking of the Prestige It was not only an environmental tragedy and an economic impact estimated in millions of euros, but also highlighted the chaotic action that the government (PP) at the time faced with the situation. In fact, if the disaster had reached its magnitude, it was because of utterly wrong decisions, unexplained omissions, and a lack of preparation for such an emergency.
The chronology of what happened every day since the ship gave the distress signal is as follows:
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
It was 15:15. prestige boatA giant oil tanker flying the Bahamas flag Distress signal when 50 kilometers from Finisterre. The ship had a leak that caused it to line up at 45 degrees, possibly due to the raging sea in the two empty starboard tanks.
Less than two hours later, the discharge of heavy residual fuel into Atlantic waters begins. With great effort, the crew manages to stabilize the ship with the water and regain its horizontality to prevent more fuel from escaping. sea captaincy It refuses to enter the Port of A Coruña, alleging a “serious overload”. But according to experts, the ship’s draft, once balanced by filling its water tanks, was more than enough to enter the Port of A Coruña and empty its tanks without causing a puddle of oil.
By the end of this dire day, the ship has already lost 6,000 tons of fuel. It forms a point 10 km long and 300 m wide.
first mistake: The Prestige oil tanker is blocked from entering the Port of A Coruña and is sent to the sea.
second mistake: The UK offers assistance with the extraction of fuel, but this is not accepted until almost 10 days later.
Thursday, November 14
The length of the oil stain exceeds 5 miles. Tugs don’t take over the old tanker until noon.
The same morning, the Central Administration (by the decision of the Ministry of Public Works, as it will be known months later) says: Prestige will not stop at any Spanish port and that it will be removed from coastal areas.
At the end of the day, the point has an extension of 37 kilometers and is on the coast of Finisterre. They announced that Spain has 12 km of anti-pollution barriers.
Third mistake: The towed ship is not taken to any Spanish port, but moves away from shore in the middle of a great storm of the southern component.
Friday, 15
Despite the severity of the situation, the oil slick-fighting device has not yet been deployed, according to the Government, because it is waiting for the “right moment”, according to the Government. Meanwhile, at the nearest ports a a complete surprise due to the lack of pollution control measures.
fourth mistake: Despite the recent arrival of fuel on the shores, anti-pollution measures are not implemented quickly.
Saturday, 16
The worst fears come true: 190 kilometers of coastline submerged by oil slick.
Boundary barriers are starting to arrive from the Bay of Biscay and the UK: another 10 kilometers to try to protect the 1,195km Galician coast. However, the storm will blow up the first placed obstacles, or it will overtake them.
The ship continues its erratic trajectory moving south at a speed of one nautical mile.
Sunday, 17
The situation on board deteriorates significantly. Prestige suffers break in a third tank Standing in front of Corrubedo, almost at the entrance Rias Baixas. A second oil stain was detected two miles from shore.
Cleaning work started on dry landWith 350 people, according to the Ministry of Public Works. However, various organizations condemn that it is done without adequate protection measures to avoid the toxic effects of hydrocarbon. Given the lack of tools, participation volunteer people.
Monday, 18
Prestij continues to move southward, pouring fuel along its entire length. Caused by a crack in another tank a new fuel leakA new patch three miles long and one wide surrounds the ship.
Portugal sends a frigate to the area to turn the ship north again. After the weekend, the central government crisis cabinet. Perhaps they are now beginning to understand the seriousness of the social, economic and ecological disaster.
fifth mistake: The crisis cabin is not formed until five days after Prestige’s SOS, when it has already poured fuel for several days and the first oil slick has flooded the shores.
Tuesday, 19
Prestige, two 260 kilometers from the Islands of Cíes. The scientists say that fuel oil will not solidify deeply because it requires sub-zero temperatures due to its mixing with diesel. However, the Government agrees to consolidation. It is stated that 18 km of anti-pollution barriers have been installed, this figure should be halved the next day by Mariano Rajoy.
sixth mistake: the ship was towed from place to place for 6 days, during which time it poured fuel on its path 243 miles – 450 kilometers – and eventually sank.
Thursday, 28
At the point where Prestige sank, fuel continues to rise to the surface. The press brings to light a “secret” report of the Government. 20,000 tons.
After an analysis by the French center Le Cedre, it was confirmed that aromatic hydrocarbons, highly toxic compounds and some of them potentially carcinogenic.
1st of December
The biggest show ever seen in Santiago, convened by the Nunca Máis platform 250,000 and 300,000 people on the streets.
December 4
The oil slick has reached the gates of Rías Baixasreaches the Cíes Islands and extends into Asturias, Cantabria and Portugal. After discovering 200 spots in the Bay of Biscay, the French Navy withdraws its ships from Galicia and sends them to guard the Gallic coast. Vice President Rajoy announced at a press conference in A Coruña that fuel does not enter Rías Baixas.
The anger of the nearly 6,000 seafarers trying to fight off the oil slick is reaching its climax.
seventh mistake: the information that different governments made available to the public was scarce, inadequate and sometimes inaccurate.
December 5
Environment Minister Jaume Matas wants the Constitution not to send more volunteers to Galicia over the long weekend. The Minister of Defense decides to send 500 soldiers to clean up the beaches. The Nautile bathing cap, which has been at the sinking site for several days, shows images of fuel leaking from the ship’s tanks.
Rajoy is forced to admit that the fuel is out.. The fishing ban affects 913 of Galicia’s 1,121 kilometers of coastline.
December 7
The oil slick continues to spread across the Bay of Biscay, approaching just 10 kilometers from the French coast. Asturias It has affected almost all of its shores from the remains of cargo unloaded by Prestige. A point with a diameter of 300 meters moves along the banks of Ribadesella, Llanes and Ribadedeva. There is 75 beaches affected to a greater or lesser extent. Inside Cantabrian, the oil puddle broke through the barriers and entered the San Vicente de la Barquera estuary until it reached the urban area. 150 kilometers of coastline are already contaminated with fuel, with 31 beaches being damaged by the effects of oil deposits.
December 10
Vice President Rajoy is forced to admit that the “little strings of plasticine” have been transformed. 125 tons of fuel is thrown by Prestij every day.
Rainbow Warrior visits Cies Island It has been confirmed that 95% of the Atlantic Islands National Park is affected by the oil slick.
February 23, 2003
Departure 100 days after disaster never again It ends its mobilization with a massive protest in Madrid, attended by hundreds of thousands of people.
Reference article: https://es.greenpeace.org/es/en-profundidad/el-desastre-del-prestige-20-anos-after/cronologia-del-desastre/
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Environment department contact address:crisclimatica@prensaiberica.es
Source: Informacion
Anika Rood is an author at “Social Bites”. She is an automobile enthusiast who writes about the latest developments and news in the automobile industry. With a deep understanding of the latest technologies and a passion for writing, Anika provides insightful and engaging articles that keep her readers informed and up-to-date on the latest happenings in the world of automobiles.