GARGANTUAN TANKERS: PRIVILEGED OR BURDENED?

The breakup of the Torrey Canyon on Seven Sisters Reef on March 18, 1967, focused world attention on the immense size of modern tankers. Now tankers four times larger are on the high seas and in coastal waters. Problems of international shipping can be well illustrated by the Torrey Canyon which was built in Japan, owned in Bermuda, registered in Liberia, sailed by an Italian master and crew, and chartered to a British Corporation and salvaged by a Dutch company. First, they require more sea room to maneuver and respect the rights of other vessels. Their inability to stop and turn, as compared with smaller vessels has decreased as their size has increased. This is reflected in the inability of these large tankers to operate within Rule 16 and 25 of the International Rules of the Road. Further, the need to stop these vessels within a reasonably safe distance is leading to the development of braking devices. Most large super tankers cannot be brought to a stop from 16 knots in less than 20 minutes with engines going full astern. During the full astern condition the vessel's direction cannot be controlled.

• Corporate Authors:

  United States Naval Institute

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Oliver, E F
• Conference:
  • United States Naval Institute Proceedings
• Publication Date: 0

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 39-45
• Serial:
  • Volume: 96

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking; Maneuvering; Stopping; Tankers; Traffic regulations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rule of the road
• Old TRIS Terms: Large tanker maneuvering
• Subject Areas: Law; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00035920
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: N9/811
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 13 1972 12:00AM