Overseas Washington Loses Power

On Sunday, March 13, 2005, at approximately 11:30 am, PWSRCAC was notified by Captain Tom Colby of Alaska Tanker Company that the T/V Overseas Washington experienced a loss of radars and propulsion, due to an unexplained failure of both boilers while inbound (unladen) in the vicinity of Cape Hinchinbrook. The Sea Voyager (a conventional tug) was in the vicinity at the time of the incident.

Under a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Captain of the Port Order issued by Lieutenant Commander Robert Bailey, the Overseas Washington proceeded to Knowles Head anchorage with a two-tug escort (Sea Voyager and Alert) to assess the cause of the failure. Prior to leaving Knowles Head, Alaska Tanker Company (ATC) was to provide a report listing the cause of the failures and a repair proposal for all affected systems, and execute permanent repairs to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard Marine Inspector and the attending American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) surveyor.

On Wednesday, March 16, at approximately 10 am, PWSRCAC received phone notification, and subsequently a copy of the written order, that the USCG deemed the Overseas Washington operationally safe and allowed it to proceed to the Valdez Marine Terminal. An ABS surveyor and the vessel’s Chief Engineer and Master provided satisfactory reports on the incident to the USCG. In addition, four third-party technical representatives worked with ABS to verify the reliability of the affected systems. Sea trials with Overseas Washington were conducted on the afternoon of March 15 with USCG permission and oversight.

The T/V Overseas Washington loaded cargo at the Valdez Marine Terminal and departed on March 17.

For more information contact project manager Rhonda Williams at: Williams@pwsrcac.org or toll free 1-877-478-7221.