Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 14, 1990 TAG: 9006140091
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: GALVESTON, TEXAS LENGTH: Medium
"I was in the radio room, alone, and suddenly the door swung open, the lights went out, and glass was crashing down," said Capt. C.M. Mahidhara told a panel questioning the Norwegian vessel's crew.
Fires sparked by the blasts Saturday were under control but continued to burn Wednesday. Crews have found a hole in the center tank of the 886-foot ship, said Coast Guard Capt. Thomas Greene.
Most of the spilled light crude oil has burned or evaporated, authorities said. Greene said between 12,000 gallons and 40,000 gallons remained in the water.
The Coast Guard had initially estimated that up to 100,000 gallons of the ship's 38 million gallon cargo had leaked.
The Norwegian government convened a board of inquiry Wednesday at a Galveston hotel to question the crew. The captain said he noticed nothing wrong before the explosions, which occurred during the weekend as oil was being transferred to a smaller tanker 57 miles southeast of Galveston.
"As far as I could see, everything was in good order," said Mahidhara, a sailor for 17 years and a captain for nine.
The crew is being questioned by Erik Leikvang, general consul of Norway, and Ole Leithe, a Norwegian maritime investigator. They are trying to determine the ship's seaworthiness and whether there is any criminal liability stemming from the explosions and leak. The Coast Guard also is participating in the hearing.
Mahidhara said the crew went over a safety checklist before transferring the fuel and all checks were satisfactory.
Mahidhara said after the explosion, choking black smoke kept him from locating and commanding his 41-member crew. Two men were killed and two others are missing and presumed dead. Seventeen crewmen were injured.
by CNB