Richard M Jones

When Tankers Collide - The Pacific Glory Disaster Richard M Jones

On 23rd October 1970 two tankers, the Pacific Glory and Allegro, collided off the Isle of Wight and set in motion a chain of events that would lead to a huge fire on the Pacific Glory, an almost impossible salvage operation, a potential environmental disaster ... and fourteen people dead. Now for the first time the story of the battle to save not only the Pacific Glory but the southern coast of England can be told. After several years of research the fire fighters, tug crews, naval personnel and eyewitnesses come together to talk about the three weeks that all eyes of the maritime world were gazing on, where after a lot of hard work the miracle was achieved with minimal pollution and at last these coastal towns could breathe a sigh of relief. The story of the fight to save the Pacific Glory is one of heroism and bravery from all sides. Although this was a disaster that shouldn't have happened, it was one that had a lot of lessons for many years to come.