On Jan. 5, a powerful North Sea storm drove the U.S.-owned oil tanker Braer aground on a rocky point at the tip of the Shetland Islands.
The tanker, on its way to Quebec from Norway, lost power when sea water contaminated its fuel lines. The crew of 34 was quickly evacuated, and salvage experts predicted that much of the tanker's cargo could be saved. However, the storm, packing 80-mile-an-hour winds, raged throughout the week, breaking up the ship before it could be pulled off the rocks near Garths Ness.
Oil spilled from the tanker. Eventually, all the 620,000 barrels were lost.
Environmentalists said fortunately the high winds and rough seas that broke up the ship also helped to minimize the damage from the spill.
The tanker was carrying a light grade of crude that thinned out and scattered in the rough seas.
On Jan. 8, the Scottish government banned all fishing within 50 miles of the spill site. Environmentalists said the effect of the spill on seals, otters, and fish remained unknown.
