successful salvage of the remainder, have been identified in the
last thirty years or so, although tankers often are lightened
for refloating. The only purposeful jettison of oil cargo
identified in recent years was from the Zoe Colocotronis. After
grounding off Puerto Rico in 1973, some 5,000 tons of crude oil
were jettisoned and the ship was refloated. The case is
notorious, Ellis said, because such drastic action now appears
to have been unnecessary. When the Arrow grounded off Nova
Scotia in 1970, jettisoning was authorized, but part of the
vessel sank before action could be taken. After the Argo
Merchant ran aground on Nantucket Shoals in 1976, jettisoning
was suggested but rejected. The vessel eventually was lost.
According to Ellis, salvors are reluctant to jettison even when
it may be more expedient than waiting for proper equipment and
weather to lighten the ship. He cited three reasons: Salvors are
concerned about the environment and want official approval to
jettison. Discharge of valuable oil carg