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Kulluk Refloated

Kulluk Refloated

News Release from Kulluk Response:

Unified Command has confirmed that the Kulluk, towed by the anchor handling vessel Aiviq, approached its safe harbor location in Kiliuda Bay at approximately 10 a.m., Alaska Time. The final location for assessment within the Bay will be determined by environmental conditions, including weather.

The Kulluk traveled 45 nautical miles since the start of the tow, roughly 12 hours ago. Average speed has been 3.5 knots or 4 mph.

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.

Yesterday afternoon, salvage teams successfully attached the main tow line to the Kulluk drilling unit.

The Salvage Master had the discretion to initiate the tow should favorable conditions occur throughout the night. At approximately 10:10 p.m., Jan. 6 the Kulluk was refloated.

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Kulluk Update

Kulluk Update

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.

 

 

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Kulluk and Aiviq

Kulluk and Aiviq

Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg

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.

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 cutter Alex 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.

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