January 11, 1997 -- VALDEZ, AK -- On-water clean up activities in response to the unknown sheen in Port Valdez are complete and crews will remain on standby for tanker vessel departures. The sheen was first discovered by Alyeska crews off Berth 3 at the Valdez Marine Terminal yesterday morning. Terminal operations are now returning to normal. The ARCO Fairbanks departed earlier today and the ARCO Spirit will finish cargo loading and depart around midnight. The Overseas Ohio was at Berth 3 when the sheen was discovered, and has been moved to Berth 1 so crews can determine if the source of the sheen is in the area. Containment boom was placed around Berth 3 after the Overseas Ohio left the berth. The Overseas Ohio is expected to depart Sunday if no further sheen is seen around the tanker.

Nine laboratory tests have been conducted but the source of the sheen remains unknown. Comparison tests of the sheen have shown no match to crude oil or three other products on the Overseas Ohio, and are inconclusive regarding the output of the Ballast Water Treatment Facility. Alyeska Pipeline, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and U.S. Coast Guard are continuing to investigate the source of the sheen.

Back to top