The panel of experts appointed by the Dunkirk Commercial Court submitted its report on November 28, 2005. According to the report, the sinking was due to a combination of bad weather and severe corrosion of the vessel’s tank structures. The report also stated that:
“Total could not have detected the corrosion of the Erika structures, as revealed after the accident, at the time of chartering or vetting.”
“Given the condition of the Erika’s structures when it departed Dunkirk, the vessel’s fate was virtually sealed the moment it was exposed to very severe conditions at sea for an extended period.”
The report of experts appointed by the Court showed that the shipwreck occurred under the following conditions:
The documents issued did not reflect the true condition of the vessel following its overhaul.
The experts’ report revealed that there were areas of corrosion at the base of tanks, which should have prevented the vessel from being certified.
It also revealed that certain repairs had not been carried out, even though the vessel’s certificates indicated that they had.
In December 1999, the tanker was hit by a storm with gale force winds. Although the storm was a contributing factor, it was not the only reason the tanker sank. |
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