Shetland oil spill. The oil tanker MV Braer lying on the coast in Quendale Bay, Shetland Islands, shortly after running aground in stormy weather in January 1993. In this photo, the coastal oil slick, containing some 80,000 tonnes of light crude, is very clearly seen on both sides of the almost completely submerged vessel. Continuing storms, sometimes reaching hurricane force, hampered pollution control and recovery operations. The vessel finally broke up after a week. The local marine ecosystem, particularly seal and salmon populations, was severely affected.