Paul Watson just said on ABC News Breakfast Australia that the Ady Gil has sunk, they (not sure which ship) had been towing her for 6-7 hours towards the French base but the weather picked up, she took on water and sunk. He confirmed that all fuel and oil had been taken off the vessel.
I've lightered vessels. I've salvaged vessels. I've been involved with getting vessels ready for reefing. Unless he had a full crew onboard, with steam pressure washers and a ton of rags, the fuel and oil were not off the vessel. Maybe the majority was, maybe even a lot of it was, but I'd like to see the transfer logs for myself.
I reviewed the video's some more, and watched the interviews, and was willing, just barely, to give some benefit of doubt to SS, but this latest, to say they had removed the fuel and oil in heavy weather removes all doubt. Paul Watson will say anything for his cause.
Well, I have no doubt they slavaged what they could of the fuel ($$$$).
But you are correct. SS is putting a media propaganda spin on anything and everything.
You are correct that SS do not have a good understanding of the quality for "complete removal of polutants". There is still a film of fuel left on the tank walls of the sunken vessel, and there is probably a pool of fuel where the siphons did not reach. Well the pool is floating on the water that flooded the tanks, now.
Although I am not thoroughly convinced whether or not the whaler adjusted course several miles away just to intentionally engage or bear down on the bat mobile.