ANCHORAGE, AK –  May 24, 2000 -- The SeaRiver Long Beach departed the Valdez Marine Terminal at 4:25 p.m.today.  As a precautionary measure, the Valdez Star and a helicopter overflight will accompany the vessel through the Port of Valdez. This is in addition to the tethered escort tug and response vessels that accompany all laden tankers when departing the Marine Terminal.

On Monday, May 22 the SeaRiver Long Beach was returned to the Marine Terminal, where it was boomed and inspected, after a sheen was detected by an Alyeska SERVS (Ship Escort and Response Vessel System) Response Specialist.  Upon inspection, divers identified a 3 1/4 inch hairline fracture in the #3 center cargo tank.  Cargo transfer operations via ship to ship transfer through the Marine Terminal were implemented to empty the cargo tank of oil.

Alyeska SERVS response crews and equipment responded to the initial sheen with skimmers, boomed the Solomon Gulch Hatchery and stood ready to boom the Duck Flats, if warranted.  Response crews remained on stand-by during the departure.

Back to top