Tanker Disasters: IMO's Places of Refuge and the Special Compensation Clause; Erika, Prestige, Castor and 65 Casualties - Tapa blanda

Eric Wiberg “...builds a character both attractive and intriguing to the reader. I ended genuinely curious about what might come next, and confident that I was in the hands of an expert story-teller.” William F. Buckley Jr.

“I believe this will be a great, great book! I enjoyed the whole thing, and I got some pretty good laughs too!” John Rosseland, Risk Manager, Hamburg-Süd

“...This book always looked far above not only all other Boston College manuscripts by others that I have seen - over which it towers - but even some other published works about seamen that I have read. ...I think you have achieved a consistent flow of readable adventure. As your characters seem to have taken on more flesh, I think they give the proper balance to all the rich technical details.” Prof. Leonard Casper, Boston College

“You skillfully move the story along. This is great. I get a sense of journey and moving forward with every page. ...You have a great writing voice – very gentlemanly. I can absolutely imagine sitting down with you in a cozy library, sipping cognac, and listening to these stories. Establishing a writing voice is really critical, and I am impressed by your clear, personal sound.” Rachel Middagh, Editor, Shanghai

“You have escaped from pitfall #1, making yourself the hero; you are a commendably modest narrator.” David Northrup, author of eight books, past president of the World History Association.

“Your work is quite impressive and excellent.” Gaylord Kelshall, author of The U-Boat War in the Caribbean

“You have produced an excellent historical combination of these events which have not been detailed in publications. Have your work circulated among history buffs of which there are millions on our Globe. I wish you luck and success.”  Herbert A. Werner, author of Iron Coffins

Written in fulfillment of a Master's in Marine Affairs Degree at the University of Rhode Island in 2005, this is the harrowing tale of some 70 vessels over the past 30 years who have found themselves distressed at sea and begged coastal states for a safe place to stabilize their problems. As this unique research points out, more often than not they were turned away - and in the case of the Prestige in 2002, with disastrous results which polluted the coastlines of three countries, cost over US$5 billion, and indirectly led to the overthrow of the Spanish government. With careful analysis of the salvors point of view and with a windward eye on the environment, this study brings the reader through step-by-step analyses and methodologies through which to debunk or confirm assumptions. The research and listings of the 70 or so casualties themselves make harrowing reading, the analysis sections aret more academic, and the bibliography provides for extensive further research. This research has been requested by and supplied to all parties in the litigation between the Spanish government, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the Bahamas Maritime Authority, and their attorneys in the U.S. and Europe. Eric Wiberg is qualified as a maritime lawyer and a member of the Maritime Law Association of the US and the American Salvage Association. A licensed captain, he has over 80,000 nautical miles of seagoing and command experience. For three years he hepled commercially operate a fleet of tankers for the firm which lost the Braer. He has written several books about travel and naval history. A citizen of the US and Sweden, he grew up in Bahamas and lives, works and writes in New York City. His son is Felix.