between the Scillies and the Seven Stones. The first officer made ill-advised course corrections while the captain slept. Safer course alternatives were discarded because of the pressure to arrive in port at Milford Haven by high tide on 18 March. The problems of reducing death following "immersion hypothermia" which were highlighted by the disaster led to "development of new techniques for safety and rescue at sea" and changes in the way survivors are winched from the sea. Two flaws have also been noted in the design of the steering control: The steering lever was designed to switch the steering to a "Control mode", intended for use in maintenance only, which disconnected the rudder from the steering wheel. The design of the steering selector unit did not provide an indication of the peculiar mode at the helm. The wreck is now largely broken up and is scattered over a wide area In popular culture Botanist David Bellamy came to public prominence as an environmental consultant during the disaster. He made his first prominent TV appearances after publishing a report on the episode. He went on to be a leading environmental and nature campaigner for decades. In 1967 French singer Serge Gainsbourg wrote a song named "Torrey Canyon" about the disaster. See also List of oil spills SS Wafra oil spill - 1971, also sunk by military aircraft. Amoco Cadiz oil spill – 1978 MV Braer – 1993 MV Sea Empress – 1996 Lloyd's Open Form References Further reading External links LIFE Magazine April 14, 1967 1967 disasters in the United Kingdom Maritime incidents in 1967 Oil spills in the United Kingdom 1967 in the environment Maritime incidents in England Environmental disasters in the United Kingdom Water pollution in the United Kingdom Union Oil Company of California March 1967 events in the United Kingdom History of Cornwall History of the Isles of Scilly 1960s in Cornwall vi:Vụ tràn dầu Torrey Canyon