Face to Face
Linda Lee, Valdez Marine Terminal Marine Operations

When Linda Lee left her small northern California town of Potter Valley in 1976, she intended to make big money on the pipeline then head back home a few months later. She didn’t get that job, but she did get hooked on Alaska—particularly the waters of Prince William Sound. She and her husband started commercial shrimp fishing about this time, and then in 1987 added the charter boat business they still operate. And in 1989 and 1990 she used her captain’s license to operate boats for the oil spill response efforts. Linda’s experience also includes shrimping, kelping, seining, halibut long lining and gill netting on the Copper River flats.

Marine Operations is the department responsible for running the TAPS vessel loading facilities at the Valdez Marine Terminal [VMT]. The facility comprises two independent loading berths that provide the necessary structures and equipment for vessel berthing, ballast water discharge, loading of crude oil, and vapor collection. Marine Operations also controls the refueling facility for the escort and response vessels.

Q. How would you explain your work in Marine Operations at Alyeska?

As a berth operator, I am in charge of the berth, designated in accordance with USCG regulations, to perform transfer operations. I coordinate the de-ballasting, cargo loading and vapor recovery process with the chief mate, the person in charge of the transfer process onboard the ship.

Simply put, we tie-up, de-ballast, and load and manage the vapor recovery system when tankers arrive at the terminal. We have day-to-day operational responsibility for vapor recovery piping and equipment for the marine tanker vapor recovery system. Marine is also responsible for the tug dock, which is set up to receive oily water and used oil from the tugs, and to fuel tugs. Our other daily operational responsibility includes performing operational checks, system and field surveillance, performing isolations for maintenance and repair work, and permitting and documenting work performed in the marine area.

Many of us in the marine department are also active participants on the VMT fire brigade. I’ve responded as a brigade member to a generator room fire onboard a tanker, evacuated injured or ill personnel from a ship, distributed, installed and tested gas detectors within the community and operated fire-fighting apparatus. Our mission is to provide protection for the lives and safety of personnel, the environment, and TAPS property. It’s gratifying to be part of a team that responds to emergencies terminal wide.

Q. You’ve held a lot of positions during your 15 years at Alyeska. What have you enjoyed the most?

A. Over the years I’ve worked in the Tank Farm, East and West Meters, and as a Lead Operator. Berth Operations is by far my favorite job. The interaction with ship personnel, agents, gaugers, etc., suits me. I like the fact that this is a physical job and I can be outside a lot. I guess my job security is the fact that not everyone wants to be out there when it is below zero and the wind is blowing the snow sideways!

Q. What do you do for fun?

I love boating or any other type of marine activity. For example, this summer we had seven family members visit for a week. We spent one night with friends in McCarthy and visited Kennicott. Another friend has a lodge in Ellamar (out in Prince William Sound) so we took a boat ride out, stayed the night and the next day traveled west to Eaglek Bay to visit friends who have an oyster farm. We caught shrimp, halibut and rockfish. Another day we split the group, and some spent the day kayaking, and some went halibut fishing. I guess I’d have to say my favorite activity is fishing with family and friends.

Q. What makes you proud to work for Alyeska?

The professionalism and dedication of so many of the people I work with. We have very highly trained professionals in a broad range of disciplines. I volunteered to join the Prince William Sound Citizens’ Advisory Council and serve on the Port Operations and Vessel Traffic Systems Committee. I also volunteered for the Valdez Fire Department with a program to install smoke detectors in local homes. More recently, I got involved in the Valdez Reads program at the elementary school. I’m very proud of the fact that Alyeska encourages employees to get involved in civic and community work of all kinds.