Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerBW
ObModeratelyOnTopic: floating oil is clearly flotsam.
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The key distinction isn't whether or not something floats, but the intent of putting it overboard. A supertanker stuck on a reef or in danger of foundering might pump out some oil to lighten its burden. But that's intentional, and a classic example of jetsam.
Flotsam is unintentionally put overboard, so that would cover most oil tanker accidents. (Same oil, same flotation, different circumstance.)