Pollution of the Dutch coast by oil from the “Eline V” — July 1978

In July 1978 the Dutch coast was polluted by oil over a distance of more than 100 km. Gas chromatographic studies of samples of oil from the beaches showed that this oil was very similar to that released from the oil Tanker “Eline V”, which collided with the “Rosaline” off the coast of East Anglia, England on 6 May 1978. An examination of wind strength, wind direction and sea currents, which determine oil movements on the sea, suggests that the oil pollution on the Dutch beaches originated from the bow section of the ship, which was blown up on 30 May 1978.