Storm-Lashed British Tanker Sinks; 27 Missing

HALIFAX, Canada — The British-owned oil tanker Odyssey, lashed by 25-foot waves and heavy winds, split apart in the Atlantic and caught fire Thursday. Rescuers found two scorched lifeboats but no signs of the 27 crew members, authorities said.

John Hughes, marine controller at the Halifax Rescue Coordination Center, was not optimistic about the chances for survival in the frigid water.

Two Canadian air force planes from Nova Scotia called off a search after sunset. The Soviet vessel Passat, which arrived near the site earlier in the day, said it would remain in the area until the search planes returned this morning.

The bulk carrier Maritime Wisdom was en route to the scene, 700 miles northeast of Newfoundland, and expected early today.

“It couldn’t be more remote for rescue,” said Roger Lowes of Lloyd’s shipping in London.

“Both lifeboats were empty and both were badly burned,” said Canadian coast guard spokesman Paul Kendrick. “Survival out there is not good. In the water, with no survival suits on, you probably would perish in a matter of hours at most.”

The 65,000-ton Odyssey was en route from Sullom Voe, Scotland, to Come By Chance, a Newfoundland.