The assessment of Shell’s Kulluk drillship continued today as calmer weather conditions allowed a recovery team to board the grounded vessel for a second time to continue a detailed evaluation of its condition. The recovery team again spent several hours onboard and was able to reconfirm the Kulluk is firmly aground and is stable.
The team also confirmed there remains no sign of environmental impact, and there has been no leakage of the low-sulphur diesel fuel or hydraulic fluid stored in strong tanks onboard the vessel. Information gained from the on-site assessments will be invaluable in helping to evaluate the available options for freeing the rig from its grounded position.
The 266 foot diameter Shell oil exploration rig Kulluk went aground in the Gulf of Alaska off Sitkalidak Island, Alaska. The rig was en route to Seattle for maintenance under the tow of the 360 foot long tugboat Aiviq when it encountered heavy seas and strong winds. The Aiviq suffered a power blackout when its engines failed. Both vessels went adrift some 50 miles from Kodiak Island. The crew requested assistance with a coast guard cutter and another tug dispatched to the scene. The tug Guardsmaan arrived and took the Aiviq under tow. Shortly afterwards, the weather caused the towline to separate. Several attempts to keep the towline connected failed as the vessels continued to drift closer to Kodiak Island. A total of 18 crewmen were airlifted off the Kulluk to safety by Coast Guard helicopters. The storm increased with 30 foot waves and 70 mph gusts as the Kulluk ran aground off shore. No reports of injuries.
Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg
Severe weather around Kodiak Island was continuing to impede salvage operations involving the Kulluk. Crews have not been able to directly assess the situation on the oil rig. A Coast Guard helicopter did a visual inspection of the Kulluk and found the hull intact and no signs of pollution released. The Kulluk had some 150,000 gallons of diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid and lubricating oil on board at the time of the grounding.
The Coast Guard cutterAlex Haley and an additional support vessel are standing by to assist as needed. Unified Command continues to implement contingency plans, including staging spill response equipment to the area. The priorities for Unified Command continue to be the safety of personnel and the protection of the environment. Nearly 600 people are involved in the response.
The 42 foot long fishing vessel Equity sank near Heceta Island, Alaska. The fishing vessel had struck rocks near the island holing the hull. The three crew on board contacted the Coast Guard that the vessel was filling with water and were abandoning into the vessel’s life raft. A helicopter was dispatched to the scene, but another fishing vessel, the High Pocket, arrived and rescued the three crewmen. No reports of injuries. The Coast Guard disabled the EPIRB and disposed the liferaft. The men were taken to Klawock.
