Posts by Buddy Custard

When an emergency happens, there is no time to learn how a response plan works. That is why exercises are such an important part of oil spill preparedness. They give responders, industry partners, government agencies, and other organizations an opportunity to practice working together before a real incident puts those plans to the test. For…

When an oil spill occurs in Alaska, response organizations need access to the right people, equipment, and vessels. That can be challenging in a state with vast distances between communities and ports, remote operating areas, and constantly changing weather and marine conditions. One way the Alaska Chadux Network (ACN) expands its response capability is through…

When an oil spill occurs in Alaska, the visible response may include vessels, crews, containment boom, and other equipment arriving at the scene. But those field activities are only one part of a much larger process. Effective emergency response depends on the preparation behind it: people who know their roles, plans that have been tested,…

When an oil spill occurs, the first few moments matter. Information needs to be communicated, response procedures need to be followed, and the right people and resources need to begin moving into action. But how do responders know the process will work when it matters? They practice it. Oil spill response exercises give Chadux Network…

Protecting Alaska’s waterways requires constant awareness, rapid communication, and the ability to identify potential risks before they become incidents. At the heart of that effort is ACN’s 24/7 monitoring center in Anchorage, where real-time vessel monitoring supports a prevention-first approach to maritime safety. From January 1 through March 31, 2026, STARS continued to play a…