Consequences of the wreck of the "Torrey Canyon"
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly Debate on 28th April 1967 (7th Sitting) (see Doc. 2230,Doc. 2230, report of the Legal Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 28th April 1967 (7th Sitting).
The Assembly,
1. Having regard to the catastrophic effects of the wreck of the oil tanker Torrey Canyon, especially for the English and French sea coasts ;
2. Having regard to the effects, whose extent it is difficult to measure, of the immersion of massive quantities of crude petroleum and the chemicals used to dissolve or coagulate it, on marine flora and fauna ;
3. Having regard to the equally serious consequences for the economy of the polluted regions and their inhabitants, who make their living from the sea, and in general on providing food for the people ;
4. Considering that the wreck of the tanker Torrey Canyon and the action taken to alleviate its effects have revealed important shortcomings in international maritime law, and especially in the legislation regulating the movements of large tankers ;
5. Considering that everything must be done to prevent a recurrence of this catastrophe ;
6. Considering that the increasing numbers of tankers on the sea, and their increasingly gigantic dimensions, necessitate strict observance of the legislation already enacted ;
7. Considering that new international regulations, more commensurate with present needs, and more severe, must be adopted for the protection of man and his natural environment in the face of these ever-growing dangers ;
8. Considering that the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO) will next meet on 5th and 6th May 1967 in London ;
9. Recalling its previous action in connection with nature protection and water pollution, international legislation on the transport of hydrocarbons, and energy policies ;
10. . Recalling, in particular, the principles set out in the draft "Water Charter" which is to be published by the Council of Europe at its instigation ;
11. Considering, lastly, that, as has been said elsewhere, "The nations are condemned to unite in the struggle against the dangers of progress",
12. Expresses the hope :
a that the specialised international organisations, and in particular the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO), will take urgent and energetic measures with a view to preventing the recurrence of disasters such as that caused by the wreck of the oil-tanker Torrey Canyon and to ensuring effective protection of human beings, nature and natural resources ;
b that steps may be taken to prohibit oil-tankers from emptying their cargo tanks into the sea and to compel those that are not fitted with discharging devices to use the special port equipment provided for such operations.
