On December 15, 1976, the Liberian-flagged oil tanker Argo Merchant ran aground near Nantucket Shoals, Massachusetts, and broke apart, spilling approximately 7.7 million gallons of oil into the Atlantic. The disaster became one of the first major tanker-related petroleum spills in the U.S., highlighting the environmental vulnerabilities of maritime oil transport. The spill prompted heightened awareness of the risks in moving crude and refined petroleum by sea, influencing shipping regulations and safety protocols. Oil companies and regulators began evaluating vessel design, navigation practices, and emergency response measures more rigorously.