Oil From WWII Shipwrecks Could Threaten U.S. Coast
OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) -- Researchers say hundreds of World War II shipwrecks off the U.S. coast could lead to oil leaks as they deteriorate on the ocean floor.
One example is an unarmed tanker struck by German torpedoes in 1942 about 90 miles off of Maryland's coast. The W.L. Steed was carrying 66,000 barrels of crude oil.
Lisa Symons of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tells The Baltimore Sun that such shipwrecks still have intact fuel tanks. Researchers say they are starting to see significant corrosion of these vessels.
Symons says oil and fuel leaks could devastate coastal communities and environments.
NOAA is taking an inventory of more than 30,000 coastal shipwrecks. It has narrowed the worst-threat list to 233 vessels.
That could lead to efforts to remove oil before it washes ashore.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
