Tankers

Approach routes

Gulf of Alaska to Prince William Sound to Port Valdez, via Hinchinbrook Entrance following dedicated traffic lanes to Valdez Arm, and Valdez Narrows

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Basic data

Hinchinbrook Entrance, clearance at—6.4-6.8 miles

Port Valdez

• Depth—Up to 800 ft.
• Dimensions, surface—12 mi. long, 2 -1/2 mi. wide
• Geological description—natural fjord

Traffic lanes

• Depths along—600 to 1,000 ft. avg.; 350 ft. min. (in Valdez Narrows)
• Distance separating—1 mi.
• Width—3/4 mi.
• Valdez Narrows— one-way traffic

Aids to navigation

• Major light house, light towers, transmitted radar beacons, radar reflectors, fog signals, radio direction finding beacons, buoys and day markers, strobe beacon and other lights at Terminal.
• The U.S. Coast Guard maintains a Vessel Traffic Service, including radio/telephone communication with approaching vessels and a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) surveillance system in the Prince William Sound, the Valdez Narrows and Port Valdez.

Navigation Safety

Vessels escorted through Prince William Sound, ice navigation rules/restrictions, wind restrictions on tanker operations.

Valdez Narrows, clearance at

1000 yds., Middle Rock to southeast shore.

Classification

• General purpose— up to 25,000 dwt.
• Super tanker— 25,000 to 150,000 dwt.
• VLCC— 150,000 to 300,000 dwt.
• ULCC— More than 300,000 dwt.

Draft of largest tankers

85 ft.

Largest berthed and loaded to date

270,000 dwt.

Number loaded per month

42 avg. (2002)

Size which can be berthed and loaded

• Berth 1—120,000 dwt.
• Berth 3—250,000 dwt.
• Berths 4 and 5—270,000 dwt.

Turnaround time

(berthing, offloading ballast, loading crude, deberthing)

22:20 hrs. avg.

Natural phenomena affecting tanker movements

High winds -

The Valdez Narrows is closed to all tanker traffic if the winds exceed 40 knots.

Cape Hinchinbrook weather restrictions —

• When the winds exceed 45 knots OR the seas exceed 15 feet, Hinchinbrook Entrance is closed to laden tankers.

Ice in tanker lanes (as of November 95)

The PWS Vessel Traffic System (VTS) will route traffic around ice as appropriate. These measures may include moveable one-way-zones. if no safe routing exists, Port Valdez will be closed to tank vessel traffic.

Normal Operating Conditions —

• requires that laden tanker be escorted by two vessels; one vessel must be a tug

Columbia Glacier—

• Height—0-150 ft. above sea level, approx. at terminus
• Length—35 mi. approx.
• Location—Northeast corner of Prince William Sound, at the head of Columbia Bay
• Width—3 mi. approx. at terminus
• Calving rate—13 million tons/day approx.
• Distance from tanker lanes—8 to 9 mi.
• Frequency large icebergs sighted in tanker lanes— 10-15 times/month
• Impact on tankers—When COTP (Captain of the Port) Valdez determines hazardous ice conditions exist in Valdez Arm, the Valdez Narrows ice routing measures will be placed into effect in accordance with Prince William Sound Vessel Escort Response Plan (VERP)
• Largest icebergs produced by—30 ft. high, 300 ft. dia., approx.
• Water depth at face of—range, 0 ft. to 1,000 ft. approx.

Last updated June 23, 2004

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