1.
GV Olympic bravery on rocks (3 shots)
0.13

2.
SV Man boarding ship up roe ladder
0.18

3.
SV PAN ACROSS Grounded ship
0.29

4.
AERIAL VIEW OF Grounded tanker
0.45



Initials CL/1709 CL/1713



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In France, an inquiry is to be held to find out how the giant oil tanker, Olympic Bravery, ran aground on the Brittany coast.

The tanker -- valued at more than 25 million pounds (50 million US dollars) -- was still stuck fast on the island of Ushant on Tuesday (3 February). Hopes of saving the 275,000 ton Greek supertanker have faded rapidly ad it is though that the vessel could break in the event of sudden storm.

If the tanker breaks up it will be the biggest and costliest wreck in shipping history. The vessel is carrying about 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and if it does break up tao will cause many pollution problems.

The Olympic Bravery, owned by Onassis Lines, was on her maiden voyage. The inquiry in France will probe exactly when the distress call was given. Some rescue authorities claim there was an hour's delay.

Strong winds have posed further problems for experts struggling to salvage the stricken tanker. If the tanker cannot be refloated the insurance costs of 25 million pounds (50 million US dollars) will largely be footed by London underwriters.

The irony of the salvage operation is that if the vessel is refloated it will cost millions of pounds to make it sea worthy, only to be taken to join 500 other great tankers in laying-up berths in Norway. Since the slump in oil trade the giant tankers have lost much of their business.