Flag use behaviour is one area where stronger controls could lower the risk of a spill like the Exxon Valdez. Photo: US Navy.
Twenty-five years ago on this day, a supertanker carrying over 200 million litres of crude oil ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, resulting in one of the most publicized environmental tragedies in history. Within five hours of the incident, over 40 million litres of oil had spilled from the ruptured vessel, the Exxon Valdez, ultimately polluting nearly 2,000 km of coastline.
In the weeks and months following the spill, numerous contributing factors were identified. While human error was believed to have played a major role in the accident, inadequate response capabilities and the vessel’s single hulled design also contributed