Point Law Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category wreck showing any portion of hull or superstructure
Point law Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		49 42.182 N,2 13.89 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 49.703033
  • Longitude: -2.231500
Water Depth 0 m
Water Level Effect covers and uncovers
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name POINT LAW
Type tanker
Flag GB
Length 75.9 m
Width 12.5 m
Draught 4.9
Tonnage 1542
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo ballast
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jul 15, 1975
Original Detection Year 1975
Last Detection Year 1975
Original Source Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports
Last Amended Date Aug 31, 2006

Simplified Wreck Survey

The British motor tanker Point Law is an underwater shipwreck located southwest of Alderney near the coast at coordinates 49 42.182 N, 2 13.89 W. The vessel ran aground on July 17, 1975, beneath high 300-foot cliffs after attempting to await tug assistance during a heavy gale. All crew members were safely evacuated as the ship became stuck fast on an inshore ledge and began breaking up in heavy seas. Attempts to refloat or salvage the hull were abandoned due to severe weather. Early historical surveys noted the bow partially out of the water with the stern submerged beneath the steep cliffs, though later aerial photographic surveys confirmed the wreck was no longer visible at the surface. Today, the site is recorded at precise modern coordinates as a notable underwater maritime obstruction off the Alderney coast.

Surveying Details

17.7.75 BRITISH MOTOR TANKER AGROUND SW OF ALDERNEY. AWAITING TUG ASSISTANCE. HOPES OF REFLOATING FADED WHEN GALE BLEW UP. ALL CREW TAKEN OFF. VESSEL SHOWS SIGNS OF BREAKING UP. STUCK ON A LEDGE CLOSE INSHORE UNDER 300FT CLIFFS. (LL, 16.7.75). 17.7.75 ATTEMPTS TO REFLOAT CALLED OFF BECAUSE OF GALES AND HEAVY SEAS. NO CHANCE OF PULLING VESSEL OFF OR SALVING HULL. (LL, 17.7.75). H4791/1 9.12.75 POSN REPORTED 494214.5N, 021348W [EUR]. (HBR MASTER, ALDERNEY, HN DTD 23.10.75). INS AS ST. BR STD. H4946/75 10.12.75 WRECK LIES RIGHT UNDER VERY STEEP CLIFF. BOW OUT OF WATER, STERN NEARLY UNDER WATER. (HMS HERALD, OBLIQUE HELICOPTER PHOTOGRAPH DTD 14.10.75). 11.5.81 NOT VISIBLE. (PHOTOPLOT PG 1592-LP1). NC. 31.8.06 WGD POSN: 4942.182N, 0213.890W. NE 60 [3RD EDN, MAY '04].

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1967 BY HALL, RUSSEL & CO LTD, ABERDEEN. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY SHELL MEX & BP LTD. PASSAGE ST SAMPSONS, GUERNSEY, FOR THE ISLE OF GRAIN. RAN AGROUND ON LE PUITS JERVIAS ROCKS. ALL COMPARTMENTS FLOODED AND BEGAN TO BREAK UP IN HEAVY SEAS. CREW RECOVERED. (MSD)

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 49 42.182 N,2 13.89 W
Point Law on Wreck Map Point Law Wreck on Google Map

More Tanker Wrecks:

Nearby Wrecks:

FAQ

Where is the POINT LAW wreck located?

The POINT LAW wreck is located at coordinates 49 42.182 N,2 13.89 W.

When did the POINT LAW sink?

The POINT LAW sank on Jul 15, 1975.

When was the wreck of the POINT LAW discovered?

The wreck of the POINT LAW was discovered in 1975.

What country did the POINT LAW belong to?

The POINT LAW belonged to GB.

What cargo was the POINT LAW carrying?

The POINT LAW was carrying ballast.

What was the tonnage of the POINT LAW?

The POINT LAW had a tonnage of 1542 tons.

What type of wreck is the POINT LAW?

The POINT LAW is classified as a tanker.

Back to Wrecks