ANCHORAGE, AK –  July 8, 1999 -- Alyeska Pipeline Service Company reported today that three Escort/Response Vessels responded when the tanker Denali, an unladen tanker inbound to the Valdez Marine Terminal, experienced vibrations in the main engine.  The tanker captain reduced engine power and speed to five knots and called the Freedom Service, an Alyeska response vessel stationed in northern Prince William Sound.  Freedom Service arrived alongside the tanker within 10 minutes and the two tractor tugs Nanuq and Tan’erliq were dispatched from Port Valdez.  The tanker Denali proceeded to the Marine Terminal under its own power.  The tanker escort tugs were tethered to the tanker as an additional safety measure during the trip to the berth. 

The tanker will remain in port while the vessel engines are inspected and repairs are made, if needed; the vessel will not be loaded until repairs are completed.  Denali is operated by the Alaska Tanker Company and is chartered to BP Oil Shipping Company.

The U.S. Coast Guard, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen’s Advisory Council were notified of the incident.

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