ANCHORAGE, AK –  May 22, 2000 -- The source of the sheen appearing in the Port of Valdez early this morning has been identified.  Preliminary inspection of the vessel SeaRiver Long Beach indicates a hairline fracture of approximately 3 inches in the #3 center cargo tank.  Cargo transfer operations via ship to ship transfer through the Marine Terminal to stop the discharge of oil has been approved by the United States Coast Guard and commenced at 6:30PM.

The sheen was detected at 6:40 a.m. near Berth 4 by the crew of an Alyeska Ship Escort and Response Vessel while escorting the tanker SeaRiver Long Beach away from the Valdez Marine Terminal.  The U.S. Coast Guard directed the tanker to return to the Marine Terminal, where it could be boomed and inspected.

Alyeska SERVS response personnel are on the scene and will remain throughout the night.  The Solomon Gulch Hatchery has been boomed and response crews stand ready to boom the Duck Flats, if warranted. Estimated spill volume is between one and 10 gallons.

A limited Incident Command System (ICS) has been established.  The Federal-On-Scene-Coordinator is Commander Peyton S. Coleman, USCG,  State-On-Scene-Coordinator is Steve Provant, ADEC, Incident Commander is Dennis Maguire, Alyeska SERVS.

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