Oil slicks spotted in area of Grande America sinking

The French Navy has confirmed the existence of two nine-kilometre-long oil slicks originating in the vicinity of the sunken Con-Ro ship Grande America.

A French Navy maritime patrol aircraft made the discovery during an overflight of the area on Wednesday, March 13, one day after the Grimaldi Lines vessel capsized and sank while ablaze in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Brittany.

The spills were confirmed by VN Sapeur, a platform supply vessel (PSV) that has remained in the area to ensure safe navigation for other ships that are passing through.

The Maritime Prefecture for the Atlantic has deployed the anti-pollution vessel Argonaute to the area to assess the situation and to attempt to contain the spills.