Incident Report #2

Feb. 2, 5:20pm

FROM: PWSRCAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS
CIRCAC
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS & OTHERS
PWSRCAC COMMITTEES

UPDATED INFORMATION

The tanker Seabulk Pride remains hard aground approximately 1/2 mile north of the Kenai Pipeline (KPL) dock. We understand that a towing and lightering plan has been developed. Plans are underway for a possible attempt to pull the tanker off the beach on this evening's high tide which is at 07:29PM Local Standard Time (LST )and is 21.6' in height. That is about 1.8' lower than the tide that grounded the tanker this morning. The tides are cycling down and will keep getting smaller over the next several days. Three tugs are on scene. The MV Champion was able to get a line to the tanker this morning, but was unable to pull it free.

There has been an agreement approved by the USCG and ADEC, in consultation with the shippers, to release PWS equipment and personnel from SERVS to support the Cook Inlet response as follows:

Tugs Sea Voyager and Bulwark (ETA late afternoon Th. Feb. 3)
Barge 350-3
Yokohama fenders from lightering barge (replaced with 2 portable fenders)
8-inch cargo hose

In terms of staff, SERVS contractor Crowley will be sending 4 tankermen and 1 supervisor along with the tug and barge crews. SERVS will be sending a total of 15 people: 6 tonight and 9 tomorrow (includes 2 task force leaders, 1 safety person and 1 response person).

ADEC approved eight mitigation measures for the release of the tugs. They are detailed in a Feb. 2, 2006 letter on the PWSRCAC website, and the key requirements are summarized as follows:
- The escort system must remain in compliance with the approved c-plan.

- There will be the standard two escorts for laden tankers with a minimum 8 hour separation of tankers that is in place right now as part of the tug reduction effort. The mitigation for the fenders is that they have been replaced with portable fenders.

- A plan for fully utilizing the Nearshore Response Barge 500-02 and associated response equipment must be in place to have the barge outfitted and mobilized by hour 6 of a spill.

- Until the response personnel return to duty for assisting in Cook Inlet, staffing must be adjusted to ensure adequate personnel are available to meet all Valdez Marine Terminal and PWS tanker contingency plan requirements.

The USCG authorization letter is available on the PWSRCAC website for the incident under supporting documents section. Another USCG letter on ice procedures is also on our website there (first click on the incident page under "What's New" on our main page. There you will find more information and links).

Tesoro has reported that approximately 75 gal of petroleum was spilled to water and another 125 gal to the deck of the tanker.

Photos of the grounded photo are available on the ADEC and USCG websites.

Many more details are available in the three sitreps on ADEC's website (the PWSRCAC website provides links to the ADEC website as well as several others).