In the Field
SERVS team helps out

Alyeska’s Ship Escort Response Vessels System (SERVS) team members put their training and equipment to good use when a commercial landing craft caught fire in Alaska’s Port Valdez on Dec. 19, 2003.

Crewmembers onboard the SERVS workboat Yellow Kvichak spotted flames on the LCM Ocean Green as it was preparing to leave the harbor. Operator Sweeny Selanoff assisted by Ryan Sontag and Kalvin Kompkoff quickly pulled alongside the burning vessel, off loaded its four-person crew and then pulled back to make room for other responders. Meanwhile, Captain Jim Sherburne on the SERVS tug Guard consulted with U.S. Coast Guard officials and then moved in to extinguish the blaze with fire-retardant foam.

Captain Asa Brewi on the SERVS line boat Gus-E then answered a Coast Guard request to tow the Ocean Green to the port container dock, where Valdez fire department members were waiting to “overhaul” the fire.

SERVS workers deployed boom around the heavily damaged Ocean Green to guard against spills and suction trucks dewatered the vessel.

“The operation was a good SERVS-team effort,” said Ed Morgan, SERVS manager in Valdez. “We had crew and equipment from TCC LLC, Crowley Marine Services and Petro Star, Inc. responding to save lives and minimize environmental impact. We also got some real-life fire practice that can’t really be replicated in practice.”