Skyron/Hel
- Name
- Skyron/Hel
- Accident date
- 30/05/1987
- Location
- Channel
- Accident area
- Off the coast of Dunkirk
- Spill area
- Offshore
- Cause of spill
- Collision
- Quantity transported
- 136,000 tonnes
- Nature of pollutant
- Fuel oil
- Quantity spilled
- 1,000 barrils
- Ship / structure type
- Oil tanker
- Flag
- Liberian
On the morning of Saturday 30 May 1987, Cedre was alerted by the Ministry of the Environment of the collision of the Liberian tanker the Skyron with the Polish cargo ship the Hel, at the boundary of the French and British territorial waters, 150 km northeast of Dunkirk.
Considering the Skyron's 136,000 tonne cargo, this collision could have resulted in catastrophic pollution along the North Sea coast. Thankfully, the oil and fuel slicks were relatively small and were quickly treated by Belgian, British, French and Dutch response vessels.
Cedre assisted the Préfecture Maritime in Cherbourg by advising them on the possibilities of dispersant treatment. The lnterministerial Mission for the Sea contacted Cedre for advice on compensation matters.