Ep 4. Fire on the Star

Fire on the Star is the fourth episode of the first season of Seconds From Disaster, an investigative series that takes a deep dive into some of the world's most catastrophic disasters. This episode recounts the 1978 tragedy that happened onboard the world's largest supertanker, the Amoco Cadiz.

The Amoco Cadiz was carrying over 227,000 tons of crude oil when it struck a reef off the coast of Brittany, France. The ship split into two, spilling millions of gallons of oil into the sea and creating one of the worst environmental disasters in history.

The episode begins by introducing the viewers to the Amoco Cadiz and its crew. The supertanker was a marvel of modern engineering, measuring over 1,200 feet in length and weighing in at over 220,000 tons. The crew was made up of 43 men, each with years of experience in the maritime industry.

As the ship was making its way through the English Channel, it encountered rough weather conditions. Despite the crew's best efforts, the ship began to drift off course and towards a dangerous reef. The situation quickly escalated as the ship hit the reef, causing a massive rupture in the hull.

The episode goes on to explain the events that followed the ship's collision. The crew attempted to stop the leak and stabilize the ship, but to no avail. They called for assistance, but help was slow to arrive. As the hours passed, the situation only became worse.

The supertanker eventually broke apart, spilling millions of gallons of crude oil into the sea. The episode highlights the devastating impact of this oil spill, which caused extensive damage to the environment and coastal communities.

The rest of the episode focuses on the investigation that followed the disaster. The investigators worked tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the collision and determine what caused the ship to go off course. The episode details the key findings of the investigation and sheds light on some of the critical factors that contributed to the disaster.

Overall, Fire on the Star is an enthralling episode that provides viewers with a detailed account of the Amoco Cadiz disaster. From the harrowing moments of the ship's collision to the painstaking investigation that followed, this episode offers a comprehensive look at one of the worst maritime disasters in history.