Spills · oil
On november 13, 2002, the t/v prestige became distressed approximately 30 miles off the coast of the galicia…
M/V Prestige; Spain · Spain · NOAAORR-7804
- issued
- 2002-11-15 00:00Z
- status
- cancelled 2002-11-29 00:00Z
- self-cancels
- 2002-11-29 00:00Z
- authority
- NOAA OR&R
- sea
- North Atlantic Ocean
- position
- 42.317, -12.317
- vessels
- M/V PRESTIGE · 6 messagesTANKER STILL CONTAINED AN
- source
- incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z
Original warning text
M/V Prestige; Spain. Spain. 1. On November 13, 2002, the T/V Prestige became distressed approximately 30 miles off the coast of the Galicia region of Spain. On November 15, the tanker was towed offshore. At that time an estimated 1500 tonnes of oil were reported to have been lost (later estimates were much higher). On November 19, the tanker was reported to have sunk 133 miles off the coast in almost 12,000 feet of water. The tanker still contained an estimated 60,000 tonnes of oil. The oil continued to leak over a period of time from the sunken vessel. Eventually robots were sent down to seal cracks and the oil was eventually removed. The Prestige incident has been used as a poster child for Port of Refuge issues. 2. THREAT: OIL. COMMODITY: HEAVY FUEL OIL. 3. POSITION 42.317N 012.317W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7804: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7804
This area · spills & pollution incidents
3 within 180 nm since 1975 · 0 in the last 12 months · 0 in force now
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Timeline · 2 messages since 2002-11-15 · closed 2003-01-10
- On november 13, 2002, the t/v prestige became distressed approximately 30 miles off the coast of the galicia… this message2002-11-15 → 2002-11-29
- Pollution control operations in progress until further notice vicinity 42-12.6N 012-03W2002-11-20 → 2003-01-10
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Spills
Oil and chemical spills, groundings and vessel casualties with a pollution threat: NOAA IncidentNews responses since 1957, and spill-response areas broadcast as navigational warnings. All current spills & pollution incidents →
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