ABOUT US
Nonprofit Governance
Alaska Chadux Network (ACN) brings together the best of Alaska expertise in oil spill prevention, removal and response, and federal Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) compliance in consolidating Alaska Chadux Corporation and the Alaska Maritime Prevention & Response Network into one nonprofit organization.
- ACN operates as an industry led and funded 501(c)4 nonprofit organization as Alaska’s premier oil spill response organization for vessels and facilities across the Western Alaska and Prince William Sound Captain of the Port Zones and Interior Alaska, while simultaneously providing guaranteed compliance with all U.S. oil pollution prevention regulations to protect mariners and the Alaska marine environment.
- We are guided by a Board of Directors reflecting the industry who funds the implementation of our various programs. The Directors are comprised of maritime and oil facility industry executives seeking a cost-effective, sustainable, and fully capable solution to their compliance requirements in balance with industry’s social responsibility to protect the marine environment.
- Our main office is located in Anchorage, Alaska. This allows us to work closely with COTP Western Alaska and COTP Prince William Sound, State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), other federal, state, local and tribal agencies, and non-government organizations. We also have a satellite office in Juneau, AK to enhance communications with the staff at Coast Guard District Seventeen.
Classifications/Certifications
ACN is the most comprehensive and highest U.S. Coast Guard and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation rated oil spill response organization in Western Alaska.
- Classified as a U.S. Coast Guard Oil Spill Removal Organization in all operating environments (Inland, Rivers & Canals, Nearshore, Offshore, and Open Ocean).
- Registered as a State of Alaska Primary Response Action Contractor (PRAC) for all regions, except Southeast Alaska, which includes Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, Kodiak Island, Aleutian Islands, Bristol Bay, Western Alaska, Northwest Arctic, North Slope, and Interior Alaska regions.
- Registered as a State of Alaska Streamlined Plan Cleanup Contractor for both Nontank Vessels and Noncrude Tank Vessel & Barges for all regions of Alaska, except Southeast Alaska.
Response Experience & Capabilities
Originally founded in 1993 in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, our commitment to and expertise in Alaska remains unmatched.
ACN is the most comprehensive and experienced oil spill response organization in Western Alaska.
- Over 27 years of experience responding to incidents, training, and conducting frequent exercises focusing on Western Alaska.
- Maintains 17 response hubs strategically located throughout the coverage area, creating an unparalleled response system throughout the remote regions of Alaska.
- Provides the only two fully dedicated offshore oil spill response vessels in Western Alaska.
- Resources include equipment and personnel to provide spill containment, collection, temporary storage, decontamination, waste disposal, specialized wildlife response, remote communications, and staging support. View equipment list HERE.
- 27+ miles of boom
- 69 Skimming Units
- 19 barges of opportunity
- 49 vessels of opportunity
Risk Mitigation
ACN continuously pioneers and refines solutions to reduce the risk of an oil spill. Initiated the development of multiple innovative strategies to better protect our participants:
- Safe routing measures with deviation protocols that promote vessel safety when operating around the Aleutian Archipelago and Alaska Peninsula.
- The “vessel of concern” program that identifies conditions that could indicate a potential incident.
- The tracking of all response-capable vessels throughout the year that are able to render assistance if needed.
- Enhanced system software to detect and alert watch-standers of potential vessel incidents.
- Protocols to assist vessel masters in keeping their vessels safe during inclement weather.
- Timely notification with detailed information packages disseminated to all relevant decision-makers (e.g., owner, agencies, QI, SMFF, OSRO) when a situation is developing to providing complete awareness.
Learn more about our industry-leading monitoring center HERE.
Research & Development
ACN maintains an active research and development program to advance oil spill prevention and response technology and techniques. Projects such as the Emergency Vessel Attachment & Towing System (EVATS™), the Large Vessel Sea Arrestor, and the Arctic Vessel Monitoring Geofencing/Alert Awareness project are industry leading technologies, setting the standards for best practices. You can learn more in our Pioneer section.
Professional Associations
Alaska Chadux Network (ACN) maintains active membership with several organizations to stay abreast of the latest issues and best practices for oil spill prevention and response:
- Association of Petroleum Industry Cooperative Managers (APICOM)
- Spill Control Association of America (SCAA)
- International Spill Control Organization
- American Salvage Association (ASA)
- North America Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA)
- Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference (SWAMC)
- Alaska Native Village Cooperation Association
- Aleutian Islands Waterways Safety Committee
- Arctic Waterways Safety Committee
- Cook Inlet Harbor Safety Committee
ACN is also an active participant in Arctic shipping policy through the Arctic Council’s Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Working Group (PAME) of the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum.