The tanker RFA Darkdale was sunk by a German U-boat and was the first British ship sunk south of the equator. She was hit with four torpedoes whilst at anchor off Jamestown, St Helena in October 1941.  As she lay in 40 metres depth, her hull is starting to show signs of leaking oil into James Bay.

A team of 9 people from the Ministry of Defence DE&S Salvage and Marine Operations (SANMO) were deployed to St Helena in April to investigate the exact condition of the ship and to ascertain whether RFA Darkdale is likely to become an environmental hazard to the island.

Part of the survey involved using a Tritex Multigauge 4100 ROV mountable thickness gauge mounted onto a Seaeye Falcon ROV. The gauge was used to inspect the corrosion levels and determine the amount of wastage that has occurred in the hull and whether there is any risk of the hull leaking any more oil.

Following the investigation, Mr Andy Liddell, one of the team members, said, “The gauge worked and we got readings off the hull, I have to admit to being surprised given the corroded state of the hull.”