How did the Exxon Disaster happen?

The Exxon Valdez disaster occurred on March 24, 1989, when the oil tanker, operated by Exxon Shipping Company, struck a reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The ship's captain, who had a history of alcohol abuse, was reportedly under the influence at the time, and the vessel’s navigation system was not functioning properly. As a result, approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil spilled into the pristine waters, causing extensive environmental damage and impacting local wildlife and fishing industries. The incident highlighted significant regulatory and safety issues in the oil transportation industry.