Kirki; Cervantes, Western Australia

Cervantes, Western Australia | 1991-Jul-21

Initial Notification: On July 21, 1991, the Greek tanker Kirki caught fire 20 miles off the coast of Western Australia, near Cervantes. The vessel was en-route from the Arabian Gulf to Kwinana, Australia. It was owned by Mayamar Marine Enterprises of Piraeus, Greece. The Kirki's bow broke off in heavy seas, rupturing two of the forward tanks. Approximately 135,000 barrels of light Murban crude were spilled, most of it on the first day. Small amounts of oil leaked during the subsequent towing of the Kirki. The salvage vessel Lady Kathleen was in the area of the incident and responded quickly to the Kirki's distress call. The Lady Kathleen towed the vessel to the west away from the shore, preventing further casualties. Keyword: Lightering, boom, fire, evaporation, Ardox 6120, Shell VTS, salvage..