Editorial: "Five Years After — The Argo Merchant"

F i v e Y e a r s A f t e r — T h e A r g o M erc h a n t

AS OFTEN HAPPENS events in recent years, that were occasions for considerable concern when they took place, have a way of losing their significance with the passage of time. Five years ago this past month — December 15, 1976 — a huge oil tanker, the Argo Merchant, well off its course, struck Fishing Rip, east of Nantucket, and the oil which spread from its broken hull threatened not only the sandy beaches of this island but those of Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod, as well.

The series of events which created the potential disaster made an incident of international repercussions. A great tanker, measuring over 600 feet, owned by a Greek syndicate, insured by an American company, registered in Liberia, Africa, and navigated by men not qualified for their positions — all combined to bring about a reprehensible situation. The hearings revealed clearly how the tanker was trapped in Nantucket shoals, as the testimony of the captain and officers brought out the navigational blunders that took place during the last hours of that winter voyage.

In view of the dramatic exposure of the facts, it was expected that the writers of the codes of International Law would bring about such changes as were obviously needed. However, nothing has been accomplished up to this time. The question of how the maritime world can improve its control over the oil tankers is still unanswered fully. The carriers of oil, with their great bulk, are still a menace to our coasts and our harbors.

The "Quaker Wind" that swept the great oil spill out to sea was truly a miracle, according to experienced seafarers. But, as in all such miracles, this was something to be marveled at but not to be depended upon. It is more reasonable to depend upon good navigation and good navigators. International laws which look to the safety of the tankers' hull and see that they have competent officers, will become the best guarantees that oil carriers will perform their proper functions.

The cynicism of the owners of the modern tanker has no place in our times, and the lack of control over the destinies of their vessels should not be always the potential for more disasters.

-Edouard A. Stackpole