Storm threat to collision tanker

IGNORING radio warnings, guardships and safety buoys, a tanker loaded with oil and kerosene slammed into a wreck in one of the world's busiest sea lanes, damaging its hull and threatening Europe's coastline with yet another environmental disaster.

The 800 foot Vicky already lost some fuel after the crash in the Channel and was last night listing slightly in Belgian territorial waters, 18 miles off the port of Ostend.

Even though initial damage to the 43,000 ton Turkish ship was limited, an impending storm could make matters worse, said provincial governor Paul Breyne.

"If the cracks between the different compartments of the ship, which are there now, would get bigger, then the danger for much worse pollution would not be unrealistic," he said.

Divers and security officials sought to investigate the damage in detail, but worsening conditions at sea could keep them away from the stricken vessel.

Maritime forecasts called for winds up to 63 mph last night and continued strong winds today.

Even though the ship was carrying 70,000 tons of primarily diesel and kerosene to New York, Mr Breyne said only a third of the cargo was at risk because of the compartmentalisation of the ship.