The Observer, May 2004

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Council board praises heavy weather towing exercise

The citizens’ council board of directors at its March quarterly meeting approved a resolution commending the oil industry for tanker towing exercises conducted early this year.

The resolution lauded “the efforts of the personnel involved in this vital and important training opportunity which was conducted at a very short notice to all participants.”

"All persons involved . . . agreed that the objectives of the exercise were met and that a tanker save was well within the safe operating limits of Hinchinbrook Entrance"

- Resolution of the citizens' council board, March 25, 2004.

The exercise took place during heavy weather in early February, and, despite some equipment problems, indicated Alyeska’s escort tugs are capable of rescuing a disabled tanker in the worst conditions they are allowed to sail through at Hinchinbrook Entrance. Such exercises had been a long-sought goal of the council.

Since the February exercises, a working group made up of representatives from industry, tanker companies, Crowley Marine Services (which operates the escort tugs), the Coast Guard, the state of Alaska, and the citizens’ council has continued to discuss and plan ship assist exercises, but at present no further exercises at or near Hinchinbrook closure conditions have been scheduled.