December 8, 1999 : 30,884 metric tons of No. 2 fuel oil was loaded on the Erika, which left the port of Dunkirk for Italy during the evening.

December 11, 1999: When the tanker was well into the Bay of Biscay, the Master noticed that it was listing seriously. The following exchanges took place :

• 2:08 p.m.: The Master sent a distress call, acknowledged by the Regional Rescue and Surveillance Operational Center (CROSS) in Etel via telex.

• 2:34 p.m.: The Master gave the vessel’s degree of list and exact position via telex and confirmed that the list was under control, that immediate assistance was not required and that he would continue to assess the situation and prepare a more comprehensive message at a later time.

• 3:14 p.m.: The Erika indicated to the CROSS via telex that the situation was “under control” and cancelled the distress call. .

• 6:34 p.m.: The Master left a message on Total’s voicemail service saying that he was changing course and would return to the regular route when the weather permitted.
• 9:23 pm.: The Master confirmed to Total by telephone that the situation was under control and that there was no poluution.

December 12, 1999:

• 5:54 a.m.: The Master sent a second distress call and requested that his crew be evacuated.

• 08h08/08h20: le navire se casse en deux.

• 9:00 a.m.: Total’s crisis unit, comprising in-house teams and experts, was activated.

December 30, 1999: The Atlantic Coast Task Force was set up.

June 1 to September 6, 2000: Fuel oil remaining in the wreck was pumped out.

January 2000 to June 2003: Coastal cleanup and restoration.

2000-2004: Waste collected during coastal cleanup was treated near the Donges refinery.