O - 1

Oil Spill in the Black Sea

O - 2

Oil SpillLate May 1999

• In a storm in the Black Sea, an old Dutch tanker proceeding from a Southern Russia Port collided with a coastal freighter just off the Black Sea resort areas south of Constanta.

• The coastal freighter, sailing under a Romanian flag with a small cargo of wheat, was headed for Istanbul and cannot be contacted.

• The tanker Captain advised official at Constanta that he planned to proceed to the port of Constanta to make necessary repairs. This contact at 2:15 a.m. acknowledged leakage in one of the forward tanks.

O - 3

Oil Spill (continued)

• At 2:23 a.m. the tanker Captain reported a large oil spill from the tanker, declared an emergency, and requested assistance.

• Bucharest officials received these preliminary reports at 3 a.m.; the first preliminary comprehensive report is not expected until first light.– Storm conditions preclude the use of helicopters and

other aircraft before dawn.

• Meteorologists expect the storm, which is pushing sea currents in a south westerly direction, to persist several more hours.

O - 4

Oil Spill (continued)

• Any oil spill most likely will drift into the resort beaches.

• The Black Sea resorts are anticipating a banner year. – Beginning in June most of the rooms available

are booked through September.

• Naval authorities in Constanta have denied permission for the Dutch ship to enter Constanta port or Romanian territorial waters.

O - 5

• Based on sketchy radar reports, it appears that the Dutch ship has ignored these instructions and continues to proceed at 3 knots toward Constanta.

• By 4:00 a.m. representatives of Interior Defense, and Navy have gathered in Naval offices in Bucharest.

Oil Spill (continued)