Sub Hopes to Plug Sunken Tanker’s Leaks
A yellow mini-sub was on its way to seal 14 holes leaking tar-like fuel oil from the wreckage of the tanker Prestige off Spain, experts said. The tanker, which spilled thousands of tons of fuel before sinking, is still thought to be leaking about 120 tons a day.
Spain has contracted with a French firm that owns the Nautile mini-sub to seal up the oozing ship. The sub plugged one leak last week.
The Nautile will shove metal bells into large holes, cover other gaps with sheeting and use bags filled with metal balls to plug smaller cracks.
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