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Spain: Sub plugs Prestige leaks
MADRID, Spain -- A research submarine operating off the north west Spanish coast has managed to plug five holes in the sunken and leaking oil tanker Prestige. But Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy also said the French sub, Nautile, had also detected new cracks. He said the cracks were small. Details of the operation were given on Sunday as winds pushed a huge slick threatening the coastline far enough from land to give 8,000 exhausted fishermen and volunteers a respite. The large slick posed a major threat to Galicia, Rajoy said. But strong winds blowing north have pushed it northwest tip. The Prestige ruptured in an Atlantic storm last month and broke apart and sank six days later. It was carrying 77,000 tons (20.5 million gallons) of fuel oil. The oil still inside is estimated at 50,000 metric tons (13 million gallons). Rajoy said the first crack the Nautile sealed last week appears to be holding. The government initially said the sub had found 14 cracks or holes through which oil was leaking. The Nautile mini-sub is best known for discovering the wreck of the Titanic. Bunging the holes will take up to 20 dives, but even after the cracks are sealed the vessel may continue to leak oil. The operation, which involves the Nautile placing metal bells into the holes, is expected to last until January 20.
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