On the way from the Saudi Arabian Ra's Tanura to Rio de Janeiro, the ship collided with the tanker Horta Barbosa in the Gulf of Oman on December 19, 1972 ; both ships caught fire. A total of twelve crew members were killed on the Sea Star . The Sea Star burned for another five days after the collision and sank after a series of explosions. About 115,000 tons of crude oil were released.
