description SS Argo Merchant Overview
SS Argo Merchant was a Liberian-flagged oil tanker that ran aground on Fishing Rip shoal near Nantucket, Massachusetts on December 15, 1976. The vessel broke apart and spilled its entire cargo of approximately 7.7 million gallons of Number 6 fuel oil. The incident contributed to the strengthening of U.S. oil spill regulations and contingency planning.
help SS Argo Merchant FAQ
When did the SS Argo Merchant run aground?
The Liberian-flagged tanker SS Argo Merchant ran aground on Fishing Rip shoal near Nantucket, Massachusetts, on December 15, 1976. The wreck became one of the best-known American oil-spill disasters of the 1970s.
How much oil spilled from the Argo Merchant?
The tanker carried approximately 7.7 million gallons of Number 6 fuel oil, and the cargo was lost when the vessel broke apart. Number 6 oil is a heavy residual fuel oil that is difficult to clean from marine environments.
Why was the Argo Merchant difficult to salvage?
The tanker grounded on Fishing Rip in rough offshore waters, and repeated storms damaged the hull. It eventually broke apart rather than being safely refloated, releasing its cargo into the Atlantic.
Where did the Argo Merchant disaster happen?
The wreck occurred near Nantucket, Massachusetts, on Fishing Rip shoal. Its location in the North Atlantic made the spill a major concern for New England fisheries and coastal habitats.
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