NEWS & UPDATES
November 23, 2022 - Western Alaska Tanker Lightering Best Practices Committee Meeting
The Western Alaska Tanker Lightering Best Practices Committee met on November 10, 2022, with participants providing a recap on another successful season delivering fuel throughout the Western Alaska communities. The Committee’s united voice reflects its strong commitment to enhancing safe, efficient, and environmentally sound tanker fuel transfer maritime operations in Western Alaska by fostering a…
08/14/2022 - Cape Blossom Road in Kotzebue-Area Fast-Tracked for Completion
This week, the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) announced an update on the strategic Cape Blossom road in Kotzebue. The project has received additional funding, and will be fast-tracked for completion. It’s an important project that will help lower the cost of goods for Alaskans who live in the Arctic Region. Kotzebue is one of ACN’s response hubs, and we’re excited to see the project continue forward. What is Cape Blossom Road, and why is it needed? Ships that port in Kotzebue don’t actually anchor there. Their anchors are dropped about 15 miles outside of Kotzebue. Consequently, the delivery of goods here is even more expensive. DOT&PF is building a road to Cape Blossom, an area of much deeper water that can accommodate larger ships. As a result, a new port will also be built there, and the new connection will help make goods much less expensive in the Arctic Region. Why is…
08/8/2022 - ACN speaks at North American Regulatory Seminar
On July 21, 2022, Jim Butler, Alaska Chadux̂ Network (ACN) External Affairs Director, presented at the Gallagher Marine Systems (GMS) 2022 North American Regulatory Seminar in Galloway, New Jersey. Jim was asked to present on “APCs and Western Alaska Shipping: Latest Issues & Current Trends.” The Seminar included participation from representatives of various shipping companies, insurers and underwriters, salvage providers, oil spill response specialists, maritime attorneys, and GMS technical experts. Updates on current trends were also provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as ITOPF and Intertanko. “We have many ships in the ACN APC programs that want to stay up on the latest issues in Western Alaska compliance,” said Jim Butler. “These Forums are an excellent opportunity to brief various sectors of the maritime industry on the unique challenges in Western Alaska and answer their questions.” ACN regularly works with all Qualified Individual providers and response plan administrators to assist them with their…
08/8/2022 - Marine Exchange of Alaska & U.S. Coast Guard Academy Internship Program
This summer, the Marine Exchange of Alaska (MXAK) hosted two U.S Coast Guard Academy first-class cadets for a 6-week internship. During their internship, 1/c Jane Alandydy and 1/c Taylor Winters visited the Alaska Chadux̂ Network to learn about oil spill response and the challenges in responding to incidents in the U.S. Arctic marine environment. Through the USCG Center for Arctic Study & Policy (CASP), the focus of their internship was to gain Arctic exposure and to see firsthand the relationships that keep the region running. From the moment they arrived in mid-June, the cadets hit the ground running; they traveled over 7,000 miles across Alaska, visited three arctic communities, trained at our 24/7 Vessel Monitoring Center operated by MXAK, and met with maritime industry experts throughout the state.
08/8/2022 - U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center – Useful Tool for Mariners
The United States Coast Guard Navigation Center has expanded availability of sharing near-real-time Maritime Safety Information (MSI) to all U.S. waterways. Through the free online subscription service, mariners can receive BNMs & UMIBs to their cell phones and computer via email in a chosen geographical area. This service is in addition to the standard VHF broadcasts which, traditionally, have been the only way to receive this vital information. Any person can unsubscribe if they become uninterested. To sign up for updates for the Western Alaska region, please use this link.
08/8/2022 - ACN Provides Vessel of Opportunity Training in Nome
In mid-July, the Alaska Chadux̂ Network (ACN) team traveled to Nome to provide Vessel of Opportunity training for its local response and logistics partners and conduct an on-water equipment deployment exercise. With the use of three Vessels of Opportunity in our program, the ACN response team successfully deployed boom and practiced on-water free oil recovery just outside of Nome. These experienced vessel crews demonstrated their vast knowledge of the area and familiarity of working in coordination with ACN responders during the exercise.
08/8/2022 - ACN Conducts Geographic Response Strategy Exercise
Alaska Chadux̂ Network (ACN) conducted a Geographic Response Strategy (GRS) validation exercise north of Kodiak, near Spruce Island, on May 11, 2022. With permitting completed through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), the ACN team planned and accounted for tides, currents, winds, wildlife considerations, vessel traffic, and subsistence harvesting, all to ensure the safest, most effective exercise. With the use of three Vessels of Opportunity enrolled in our program, the ACN response team deployed boom for protection around the anadromous stream in Icon Bay and then practiced on-water free oil recovery. ACN continues to strengthen relationships in the communities it serves and understands the essential importance of having a network of top-notch response and logistics partners throughout Alaska.
08/8/2022 - Coast Guard Inspection Validates ACN Readiness
Earlier this summer season, the Alaska Chadux̂ Network (ACN) operations team traveled around Southcentral and Western Alaska, with inspection teams from the U.S. Coast Guard National Strike Force Coordination Center conducting the annual PAV (Preparedness Assessment Verification) Inspections. The inspections are designed to verify an oil spill removal organization’s (OSRO) response equipment and readiness to respond. During the two-week inspection trip, ACN and Coast Guard teams visited 10 ACN response hub sites – Homer, Nikiski, Seward, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Dillingham, Bethel, Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, and Adak. No discrepancies were noted during the inspections, validating ACN’s high readiness to respond.
05/22/2022 - Building on Don Young’s Legacy of Protecting Alaska Oceans
By ACN President & CEO Buddy Custard May 22 marks National Maritime Day. Congress established it in 1933 in commemoration of the steam ship Savannah and her maiden voyage, which was the first trans-Atlantic journey ever made by a steam-powered vessel. In the 203 years since the Savannah departed her eponymous port in Georgia for Liverpool, England, oceangoing technology has come a long way – and maritime shipping has become a supply-chain backbone that keeps goods arriving from all over the world. Much of this shipping activity travels along the Great Circle Route off Western Alaska. The oceans surrounding Alaska are special: they’re pristine; a source of food; and a place for adventure, recreation, and commerce. Accidents on these waters can damage lives and communities for generations, as the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 demonstrated. Following that disaster, Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA90) to better protect our coastal waters…
05/18/2022 - U.S. Maritime Day – A Brief History
Each year on May 22, the United States celebrates U.S. Maritime Day. It was officially recognized by Congress in 1933 to commemorate the American steamship Savannah, and the start of her voyage from Savannah, Georgia, to Liverpool, England. That transatlantic voyage was the first-ever by a steamship, and a similar crossing wouldn’t be attempted by an American steamship until 1847. Congress declared National Maritime Day to recognize the more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine that served during World War II. (The Merchant Marine consists mainly of civilian vessels but also includes some federally-owned ships, that import and export goods to other countries. Merchant Mariners complete special training and certification through the U.S. Coast Guard. While they are not considered active-duty military personnel, the Merchant Marine can be an auxiliary to the U.S. Navy during times of war, being called upon to help deliver and transport military support materials and personnel, among…
05/11/2022 - ACN Provides Tug Grounding Support in Southeast Alaska
In late March, Alaska Chadux̂ Network (ACN) provided assistance to SEAPRO (Southeast Alaska Petroleum Response Organization) with the grounding of the tug Western Mariner in Neva Straits near Sitka, Alaska. The tug had approximately 45,000 gallons of diesel fuel onboard when it ran aground and an unknown amount was discharged. ACN assisted with boom deployment, recovery of the spilled product, and setting up beach deluge systems to wash out the fuel that was embedded in the beaches.