Oil spill shows flaws in the act

Until quite recently, South Australia has been relatively free of oil spills. Minor spills have occurred from time to time, but the oil has been contained quickly and the damage kept minimal. However, on August 1992, at Port Bonython just north of Whyalla, the tug Turmoil pierced a hole in the heavy fuel oil storage tank of the oil tanker Era Whilst it was berthing. It is estimated that 296 tonnes of heavy fuel oil spilled into Spencer Gulf. The author points out that because there are no clear international and nation guidelines or practices in respect to containment of spills in such a situation, it is difficult to make out the offense and to determine who will be responsible for the costs of clean-ups