VMT spill response drill demonstrates teamwork

The scene might have appeared rather chaotic to the casual observer. Around every corner were the sounds of telephones ringing, employees huddled over tables discussing strategy and others hovering around enough computers to fill up a local library. At times, the noise levels could have rivaled a high school basketball game.

This was the scene on October 14th when some 100 Alyeska employees filled the Valdez Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) to conduct an oil spill response exercise at the Valdez Marine Terminal. A total of more than 160 responders and observers from Alyeska, the Alaska
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), U.S. Coast Guard and Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council took part in the field and at the Valdez Marine Terminal and VEOC.

The exercise scenario involved a simulated 90,000-barrel crude oil spill at terminal berths 3, 4 and 5. Alyeska and regulators use this sort of response exercise as a tool to test oil spill contingency plans and preparedness on the pipeline, Valdez Marine Terminal and Prince
William Sound.

“Other than an actual event, drills are the most accurate way to establish confidence in your response system,” said Barry Romberg, Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS) operations advisor.

Alyeska’s spill response plan in the Port of Valdez and the Sound covers a comprehensive network of resources and equipment strategically placed throughout the area, including more than 300 fishing vessel owners who are contracted to respond in the event of a spill.

The ability to practice is essential for Alyeska’s spill response plan. A tremendous amount of preparation and research goes into each drill where controllers and drill planners meet well in advance to design realistic exercise scenarios. The controllers then add to the realism by injecting “drill events” into the response equation. For example, October’s Valdez Marine Terminal exercise included a simulated press conference where Alyeska, DEC and Coast Guard officials fielded questions from controllers acting as reporters.

Evaluators and regulators assess exercise responders and equipment based upon detailed measurement criteria that outline specific objectives. The October Valdez Marine Terminal drill responders met all of their objectives and Alyeska established a new time record for deploying oil containment boom to protect the Solomon Gulch Hatchery and Valdez Duck Flats.