Shetland oil spill. Dead cormorants being collected from a beach in Shetland after the accident to MV Braer in January 1993. When the tanker Braer ran aground during stormy weather, about 80,000 tonnes of light crude oil were released. Much of this kept close inshore, discolouring the water. Continued storms, sometimes reaching hurricane force, hampered pollution control and recovery operations. Dispersant sprays were used on the slick, although spraying was stopped after the dispersant drifted inland on strong winds. The incident caused much damage to the local marine ecosystem.