The Observer, September 2004

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Legacy awards go to tanker companies

The four tanker companies that haul North Slope crude out of Valdez received awards this summer for getting through the year 2003 without spilling a drop of oil to salt water.

The recognition came from the Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force in the form of Legacy Awards, given annually for work that demonstrates innovation, management commitment, and improvements in oil spill prevention, preparedness, or response.

The companies involved were: Alaska Tanker Company, which operates ships for BP; ConocoPhillips’ Polar Tankers subsidiary; Exxon’s SeaRiver Maritime, and Seabulk Tankers, which operations ships for Tesoro.

The citizens’ council nominated the companies after the spill-free record for 2003 became known.

“It is widely acknowledged that the TAPS trade route is one of the most challenging transportation routes,” wrote Executive Director John Devens in the council’s letter of nomination. “Therefore, we view a spill-free year as a significant milestone.”

The task force is a consortium of environmental agencies in British Columbia and the U.S. Pacific Coast states. Alaska is represented by its Department of Environmental Conservation. The task force’s mission is to foster coordination and collaboration on oil spill prevention and response policies among the agencies that make it up.

“We’re probably better known for criticizing the oil industry than for praising it,” Devens said. “But we’re much happier pointing out successes than problems, and we were glad to be able to do it in this case.”

Will Jenkins, president of SeaRiver, wrote to thank the council for the nomination, but said the company wasn’t yet satisfied.

“We are confident that with the collaborative support of those who share in the common goal of achieving safe and efficient marine transportation, such as the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council, we will continue to build on our success,” Jenkins wrote.