The Torrey Canyon Commission of Inquiry

Abstract

In a book entitled The Black Tide, Richard Petrow presents a panoramic view of the events concerning the loss of the Torrey Canyon on the Seven Stones on 18 March 1967. The massive spillage of oil made it into a world disaster which called for a complete revision of many of the principles on which maritime transport is based. For seamen, however, the really important part comes before the spillage, when the ship stranded in apparently ideal navigational conditions. The Liberian Commission of Inquiry threw little light on the subject and criticism of the master does little to satisfy those with a professional knowledge of the sea. Here Commandant Oudet, relying heavily on the facts disclosed in Petrow's book, examines the circumstances of the disaster and comes out with strong criticisms of the Commission of Inquiry. If the subject is not exclusively navigational, it must be of great concern to all navigators.Mr. Petrow's book contains what professionals need, even though the author recognizes that many questions must still remain unanswered. He has had access to the record of the Commission's investigations, but not to the report of the observer whose presence at the inquiry was secured by the British Government in spite of the owners' protests. While Mr. Petrow was able to spend four days interviewing Captain Rugiati, six months after the accident, he was unable to pursue his investigation by speaking with eye-witnesses, either those whose evidence was received by the Commission or those whom they failed to question.