"Deadly Cargo, worst fears realised as tanker spills....."

Disclaimer

The following is a summary of the events of the grounding of the M.V.Braer in January 1993 and of the effects on wildlife following the spill. It is a summary of an article (edited by myself) which appeared in the 1993 Shetland Bird Report. I accept no responsibility for the accuracy of the text presented, which is based upon already published information as to the sequence of events and the effects on wildlife, although as far as I am aware all references are factual.

All photographs featured in these pages remain copyright of the photographers.

Index - click on a heading to jump to that section

Part One: the grounding, the response and the dispersion of the oil

• The Grounding
• The Initial Response
• The Oil
• Maps of the oil movement

• Part Two: the Wildlife Rescue Response and the Immediate Effects of the oil on wildlife

• Coverage of beaches
• Live birds and mammals
• Dead birds and mammals
• Origins of ringed birds

• Part Three: the effect on the wintering and breeding seabird populations following the spill

• The effects on wintering seabirds
• The effects on breeding seabirds

• The Braer - A synopsis
• Other Braer related Web sites, Further Reading and References