FRENCH RESPONSE TO THE KATJA INCIDENT

摘要

The 7th of August 1997 at 0h30, theBahamas flag tanker KATJA hit a berth in Le Havreharbour. Immediately 187 m3 of heavy fuel oil flowed outof the aft port fuel tank into the harbour. It took twohours to complete the mooring of the ship, during whichit was impossible to close the basin. About 30 to 60 m3drifted out of the harbor following the ebb current.The situation was difficult to assess and got worsebecause of the heavy fog which lasted four days and thusjeopardized any aerial survey for the first days, and as itwas in the middle of the summer holiday season, half ofthe harbor employees were on vacation, sensitive touristsareas were full of holiday guests, and the media were insearch of sensational stories.Cleaning operations took place in the harbour and onfashionable tourist beaches such as Deauville andTrouville, using national and local equipment andpersonnel.The paper emphasizes the problems encountered in theoperations particularly when no sea survey is availableand when close cooperation is required betweenadministrations, "departements" and districts.