The MV Braer was an oil tanker which ran aground off Shetland, Scotland. On Tuesday, January 5, 1993, Lerwick coastguard were advised that the tanker, the Braer, en route from Bergen in Norway to Quebec in Canada, laden with 85,000 tons of crude oil, had lost engine power but was in no immediate danger.
The coastguard alerted rescue helicopters from Sumburgh and RAF Lossiemouth and made enquiries about the availability of local tugs. At the coastguard’s suggestion, the master agreed that non-essential personnel should be removed from the vessel – 14 of 34 crew were taken off by the coastguard helicopter. It was feared that the ship would founder near Horse Island but because of strong northwest local currents, the Braer moved against prevailing wind and missed the island, drifting towards Quendale Bay.
Attempts to establish a tow failed and the ship grounded at Garths Ness with oil being seen to flow out into the sea from the moment of impact. Fortunately, the crude oil that the Braer was carrying was lighter and more easily biodegradable than other North Sea crude oils. Some of the worst storms seen in Shetland prevented the event from becoming an even bigger disaster.
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