Alyeska Tests Response Readiness

Alyeska Pipeline Service Company conducted an unannounced drill at Pipeline Mile Post 676 on Saturday, November 27, to test response readiness for on- and off-duty oil spill response crews at Pump Stations 11 and 12 and SERVS.

A call to Pump Station 12 at 7:15 a.m., began the simulated drill. The drill scenario involved a 1.5-inch diameter hole on an above ground section of the pipeline at Mile Post 676 caused when a crane boom collapsed. The Incident Command System was activated and on-duty response crews from Pump Station 12 and equipment were mobilized to respond to the simulated spill. Pump Station 11 off-duty response crews were mobilized from their homes near Glennallen within the required 2-hour time limit. The spill scenario required mobilizing additional support staff and various rolling equipment such as vacuum trucks and a command post trailer to the simulated spill site from SERVS and the Valdez Marine Terminal in Valdez.

Approximately 40 TAPS employees from Alyeska, SERVS, Ahtna Construction and other contractor companies participated in the drill. Ahtna Construction is the company that provides baseline spill response personnel to Alyeska at Pump Stations 11 and 12. During the drill, Alyeska was able to meet all predetermined objectives and completed additional safety checks at the simulated spill site. The drill was complete by 2:30 p.m.

Hinchinbrook Tug Out For Repairs

The tug Gulf Service lost power on November 26 due to a generator failure and was towed from Hinchinbrook Island to the SERVS dock in Valdez for repairs. The Gulf Service is one of the two escort vessels stationed at Hinchinbrook Island to assist inbound and outbound tankers through the Valdez Narrows and Prince William Sound. The Sea Voyager is temporarily stationed at Hinchinbrook with the Pioneer Service until the Gulf Service is back in service after repairs are completed on Tuesday, November 30.

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