Council Concerned by Recent Events

The council is concerned about recent tanker and tug events in which proper procedures were not followed. The events include:

• July 10, 2005: USCG Vessel Traffic Center (VTC) cleared two outbound laden tankers for transit in Valdez Narrows simultaneously, a violation of the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations)

• September 29, 2005: SERVS (Ship Escort/Response Vessel System) assigned the tug Pathfinder to be the 17-mile standby for the outbound laden tanker Kenai, a violation of both the VERP (Vessel Escort & Response Plan) and the state C-plan (contingency plan). The Pathfinder is allowed to escort laden tankers but not as the primary or as the Hinchinbrook tug (tug assigned to remain near Hinchinbrook entrance until a laden tanker is at least 17 miles out to sea).

• October 3, 2005: The inbound laden tanker Seabulk Pride released its tether from the escort tug early at the order of the pilot, a violation of the VERP

Though no oil was spilled due to these events, the council is monitoring follow-up actions taken to address these violations.

All of these events were addressed at the October Valdez Marine Safety Committee (VMSC) meeting. The VMSC is composed of representatives from Alyeska/SERVS, USCG, shippers, Crowley Marine Services, PWSRCAC, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Alaska Maritime, South West Alaska Pilots Association and other waterway users.

Each occurrence and the corrective actions taken were reviewed. A subcommittee, on which PWSRCAC will have a representative, was formed to review and modify the VERP to clarify and improve procedures and policies.