Era tanker oil leak 1992

Nearly 300 tonnes of bunker oil was released from the Tanker "Era" when she was holded by the tug "Turmoil" in 1992.

 

 

The fuel tanker, Era, was holed by the tug, Turnoil, during the final stages of berthing. Most of the spilt oil was carried around Point Lowly into the upper Spencer Gulf.

The oil was then drawn south under tidal influenceinto Germain Bay where it remained until deteriorating weather conditions drove the oil towards the coast to the south of Port Pirie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Satelite photo taken in 2009 of the coast to the south of Port Pirie shows the lingering damage from the Era oil spill which hit the coast in 1992.

Chemical dispersents were used within 3 hours of the oil spillusing local vessels and the next day by aerial spraying.

Attempts were made to recover some of the oi from Germain Bayl, however deteriorating weather conditions ment that this was unsuccessful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Map of the coast to the south of port Pirie showing th extent of the oil spill and its effects on the coast.