NORTH SLOPE ACTIVITY NOT SEEN HIKING OIL SPILL THREAT

The U.S. Coast Guard says more Alaskan North Slope exploration and production would not increase the risk of another oil spill in Prince William Sound. Any additional production would be moved through the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System and loaded onto tankers at the Port of Valdez. Rear Adm. David Ciancaglini, the Coast Guard's Alaska district commander, told the Senate energy committee there is far less danger of a spill than at the time of the Exxon Valdez tanker accident 2 years ago.

April 1, 1991

2 min read

The U.S. Coast Guard says more Alaskan North Slope exploration and production would not increase the risk of another oil spill in Prince William Sound.

Any additional production would be moved through the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System and loaded onto tankers at the Port of Valdez.

Rear Adm. David Ciancaglini, the Coast Guard's Alaska district commander, told the Senate energy committee there is far less danger of a spill than at the time of the Exxon Valdez tanker accident 2 years ago.

As a result of that accident, the Prince William Sound vessel traffic service now is manned 24 hr/day, and its radars, plotting systems, and communications have been improved.

Also, a fixed light was placed on Bligh Reef where the Exxon Valdez grounded. The Coast Guard closes the Port of Valdez in bad weather and requires one way traffic when icebergs are in shipping lanes.

The Coast Guard soon will start an automatic tracking system that will sound an alarm whenever a ship enters or leaves a designated area, exceeds a predetermined speed, or alters course more than a present limit.

Ciancaglini said Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. has improved its oil pollution preparedness: All tankers are boomed at the berth, tanker crews are screened for alcohol use, spill cleanup equipment has been bought, two tugs and barges are stationed in mid-Prince William Sound, and an oil spill response station is planned for Port Etches at the Cape Hinchinbrook entrance.

All laden tankers are escorted through the sound by an ocean-going tug and a 200 ft escort tug/spill response vessel equipped with boom, skimmers, workboats, and storage tanks. The escort is at only 10 knots.

Also, Alyeska's 123 ft Valdez Star oil skimming ship has been launched and will arrive in Valdez in June.