They are under a lot of stress. The South African Maritime Safety Authority estimated that 400 tons of oil had been released. Others had reported earlier that 100 to 300 tons had spilled. Scarth said this oil spill rivals that of the Exxon Valdez, which happened in 1989 off the Alaskan coast. That oil spill led to American legislation requiring some ships to have double hulls, which would give the vessels a second shield to contain spilling oil.
Environmentalists say the spill continues to have an impact on Alaskan ecosystems.
About 900 tons of oil were still thought to be trapped in Treasure, and cleanup workers are racing to pump it from the sunken ship, said Capt. Bill Dernier of the maritime authority. Oil is swabbed from inside the mouth of a penguin at the conservation center. The penguin is among thousands rescued The operation entails anchoring a barge over the wreck of the Treasure and sending divers down with hoses to pump the oil out from the ship's tanks. It will be dangerous and difficult work.