How can we combine efforts and verify response capabilities?

From Executive Director Mark Swanson: Mark Swanson The safe transportation of oil requires that the industry plan extensively for spill prevention and response. Beyond planning, extensive practice of the tactics described in the plans help verify that these spill response plans will work as written. Drills and exercises conducted today are many and varied. These drills test different federal and state requirements. Some are aimed at maintaining…

Fall drills and exercises test industry spill response plans

By ROY ROBERTSON Council Project Manager This past October 3 and 4, Tesoro conducted the annual large-scale oil spill response exercise to test the Prince William Sound Tanker Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan. The scenario imagined that, during inclement weather, an outbound partially loaded tanker struck an unknown object near Glacier Island and suffered a breached hull. The tanker instantaneously released a simulated 20,000…

Conference focuses on best practices in towing rope technology

By Alan Sorum Council project manager A recent conference on rope design hosted by Samson Rope, a leading producer of high performance towing rope, shared best practices for towing that may be applicable in Prince William Sound. Founded in Boston in 1878, Samson is the world’s largest producer of ropes made with “Dyneema,” an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber. The company manufactures ropes of traditional fibers, like nylon and…

The Observer newsletter – January 2013

Articles from the January issue of The Observer newsletter are now online: Study looks at changes in Columbia Glacier and effects on oil transportation This year, the council is sponsoring a project to study Columbia Glacier, looking at its retreat and loss of ice. The council hopes to learn more about possible future effects of icebergs on tanker traffic in Prince William Sound. Article: Study looks at changes in Columbia Glacier and effects…

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