VIDEO: Kulluk Reaches Safe Harbor Location (Alaska)

Kulluk Reaches Safe Harbor Location

Unified Command, including Coast Guard, Shell and other partners, has confirmed that the Kulluk, towed by the anchor handling vessel Aiviq, has arrived in its final safe harbor location in Kiliuda Bay where it will undergo assessment. At approximately 12:15 p.m., January 7, Alaska Time, the Kulluk’s anchor was lowered to the bottom of the Bay.

The Kulluk was refloated from its Ocean Bay position, off Sitkalidak Island, late Jan. 6. It will remain connected to its support vessels while it undergoes assessment in Kiliuda Bay, located about 30 miles north of Ocean Bay.

The Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley escorted the tow to Kiliuda Bay along with two oil spill response vessels and other support vessels. A 500-yard radius safety zone around the Kulluk followed the escort and remains in place in Kiliuda Bay.

Monitoring by the oil spill response vessels escorting the tow confirmed that there were no signs of a discharge of oil during the transit.

The combined fleet has 15,000 feet of boom should it be needed. Additional boom has been staged in various locations.

The Kulluk has been grounded since Dec. 31, after it broke tow during severe weather conditions.

“Unified Command continues to coordinate with the Old Harbor Native Corporation to assist with any necessary cleanup activities. Additional spill response land resources have been staged in Old Harbor,” said Unified Command in a statement.


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Related:

Animation: Kulluk Refloated and Under Tow (Alaska)

SEEC Calls for Investigation of Shell’s Drilling Rig Grounding Off Alaska

Experts Board Grounded Kulluk Off Alaska

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January 8, 2013