ANACORTES, WA -- July 24, 1998 -- Tatitlek first grader Gwen Vlasoff got a firsthand view of the state of the art tractor tug built for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company that she helped name, when she toured the new vessel Friday. Vlasoff and 800 other Prince William Sound students submitted names for the two 10,000 horsepower tractor tugs, designed by Crowley Marine Services. Her winning entry "Tan’erliq" means black bear in Alutiiq. The other winner was Jessica Milburn, a senior at Valdez High School, who submitted the name "Nanook," which means polar bear in Inupiat.

Accompanied by her grandmother, Roselene, and the principal from Tatitlek School, Penny Moore, Vlasoff toured the three-story vessel Friday morning. During her tour of the Tan’erliq, Vlasoff observed the welding of the name on the vessel.

The largest and most powerful tractor tugs in the world, the vessels have been under construction since last October. The first tug is scheduled for delivery in early 1999. The two Voith Schneider Propulsion (VSP) tractor tugs were designed specifically to work in the Alaskan environment, and have exceptional maneuverability. They are being constructed by Dakota Creek Industries.

In addition to carrying oil spill response equipment and work boats, the tug has firefighting capabilities that allow it to pump 13,200 gallons per minute -- enough to fill a swimming pool in five minutes.

The two VSP tractor tugs will join Alyeska's Ship Escort Response Vessel System (SERVS), serving as tanker escorts in Prince William Sound.

SERVS is the largest oil spill prevention and response organization in the western hemisphere. The mission of SERVS is to prevent oil spills by assisting tankers in safe navigations through Prince William Sound, and to protect the environment by providing effective response services to the Valdez Marine Terminal and Alaska crude oil shippers.

In addition to the 1999 delivery of the enhanced tractor tugs, Nanook and Tan’erliq, Alyeska added a protector class tractor tug to the SERVS fleet on July 13, and will add a second in August.

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