Newsroom

First of two new oil tankers to begin service in Prince William Sound in 2014

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Photo of tanker Liberty Bay with escort tug. Photo courtesy of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.
Photo of Liberty Bay courtesy of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.

The first of two new SeaRiver oil tankers is expected to begin service in Prince William Sound later this year.

SeaRiver, the shipping arm of ExxonMobil, held a naming ceremony for the vessel Liberty Bay on April 25. The second vessel will be named Eagle Bay.

Built by Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc., both vessels measure 823.5 feet long and 144 feet wide, and have double hull protection for both cargo and fuel tanks. The vessels are capable of carrying 115,000 tons of weight including cargo, fuel, ballast water, provisions and crew. Cargo capacity is 800,000 barrels (approximately 33.6 million gallons). Propelled by a slow speed diesel engine, the vessels’ “service speed” is 15 knots (approximately 17 miles per hour).

Ballast water treatment technology

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Prince William Sound spill contingency plans under review

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By LINDA SWISS
Council Project Manager

The council participates in various workgroups tasked with updating the Prince William Sound Subarea Plan, and recently submitted comments on proposed changes to the plan. The last update to the subarea plan was completed in 2005.

Access to current information is critical in the early hours of spill response. The council recommended that the revised plan contain the most current information on web links; resources such as communications, equipment, facilities and support personnel; sensitive areas; community information; and wildlife impacted.

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Bauer reelected, new members welcomed, long-time volunteers honored

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The 2014-2015 executive committee, left to right: Miller, Duffy, Hart, Bauer, Lewis, Korbe and Herbert.
The 2014-2015 executive committee, left to right: Miller, Duffy, Hart, Bauer, Lewis, Korbe and Herbert.

The council held its annual board meeting in Valdez during the first week of May. Among other business, new board officers were elected for the year.

The 2014-2015 executive committee includes:

• President: Amanda Bauer, representing the City of Valdez

• Vice President: Thane Miller, representing Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation

• Treasurer: Jim Herbert, from the City of Seward

• Secretary: Cathy Hart, representing the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association

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After a long life of service, Walt Parker passes away at 87

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Walt Parker
Walt Parker

Walt Parker, 10 year council board representative for the Oil Spill Region Environmental Coalition, seems to have made a contribution to just about everything Alaskan over the years. He’s had a hand in urban planning, education, transportation, fisheries, telecommunications, and land use planning, and the oversight of oil and gas operations all over Alaska and the Arctic.

Much of the major federal legislation involving Alaska, including the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act of 1973, the National Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, known as the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Alaska National Interest Lands and Conservation Act of 1980, and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 has Parker’s fingerprints on it.

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