Posted on 12/01/2002 8:09:34 AM PST by logic101.net
THE SPANISH BAIL-OUT MARK A SITY 12/1/02
Although it hasn't happened yet, there are sure to be calls for the USA to help Spain clean up its oil-soaked beaches. No doubt groups are working on picking our pockets for this cause.
Yet, where does the fault lie here? From what I have heard, the Captain of the ship has been charged with environmental damage. Yet, unlike the Exxon-Valdez, this Captain was not sleeping off a drunk in treacherous waters. He realized he had a serious problem, an oil leak, and sent out a distress call, looking for a port where the problem could be corrected. Both Spain and Portugal refused entry. These nations insisted this damaged tanker, full of oil, remain in 30 foot seas, where it later broke up and sunk. There has also been a report that a Portuguese Naval ship forced this ship in distress to perform a sharp turn, which may have been the final straw for this doomed ship.
I have no pity for Spain in this incident. Had they allowed this tanker in port for emergency repairs, only a small fraction of the oil would have been released. Had they allowed it in to transfer its cargo, again, only a small fraction of this oil would have been released. Clean-up would have been a small job, and environmental impact would have been negligible.
However, no one seems to be placing the blame where it belongs. Blame is placed on the Captain of the ship who did nothing wrong. Blame is also spread among the oil and shipping companies. Blame should rest solely on those nations who insisted that this troubled tanker stay out of their ports. This is in direct violation of the customs of the seas which allow for troubled ships to enter any port when in danger.
MARK A SITY http://www.logic101.net/
Let the Spanish & Portuguese hire any expertise they need - buy THEY pay for it!
You can look it up as easily as I can.
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