NEWS & UPDATES
May 11, 2022 - ACN Supports Crude Oil Spill Response – Lima, Peru
The Alaska Chadux̂ Network (ACN) team provided oil spill response consulting support to ETI (Environmental Technologies Inc.) during the Repsol Refinery crude oil spill in Lima, Peru that occurred on January 15, 2022. It is estimated over 11,000 barrels of crude oil was spilled in the coastal environment in the vicinity of Lima, Peru. Two…
05/11/2022 - 2021 Annual Report Released
2021 Annual Report Released The 2021 Annual Report for the Alaska Chadux̂ Network (ACN) has been released! ACN is excited to share the highlights from 2021 of the responses, training, compliance services, stakeholder engagement, and financial accountability; all together create the ACN comprehensive difference. ACN was able to continue advancing its capabilities in balance with keeping compliance costs stable, and in some cases, reduced. The theme for our 2021 Annual Report, “Comprehensive: The ACN Difference”, highlights our dedication to Alaska through our vast capabilities, experience, relationships, and commitment to preventing and responding to oil spills in Alaska. To obtain a printed copy of our annual report, please respond to News@AlaskaOSRO.org and indicate the number of copies and your address. To download the 2021 Annual Report, please click HERE.
12/28/2021 - ACN Announces 2022 Vessel Fees
2022 Vessel Fee Update The Board of Directors for Alaska Chadux̂ Network (ACN) voted unanimously in December 2021 to keep all transit-only vessel fees unchanged for 2022 and reduce the bundled State & Federal operating vessel fees. The update on specific rates and fees for 2022 for each category of vessel is detailed below: Nontank Vessel Transit-Only Fees ACN continues to offer the lowest listed fees for Transit-only Nontank vessel Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) coverage at 20% lower than other providers’ published rates. ACN remains dedicated to you as the most capable, transparent, and experienced oil spill compliance and response provider in Alaska. You are only invoiced when your vessel transits the ACN coverage area on non-innocent passage to/from a U.S. port and the invoice covers APC compliance for the vessel for 365 days from the invoice date, including unlimited transits. There are no annual retainer fees. Nontank Vessel Bundled State & Federal Rates…
10/18/2021 - Virtual Seminar Highlights Challenges, Opportunities in the U.S. Arctic
Alaska Chadux̂ Network and the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) hosted a collaborative virtual seminar that focused on maritime challenges in the U.S. Arctic. This informative event was held on September 8, 2021, and addressed a series of topics including: a keynote address focusing on the role of the U.S. Arctic in national policies; current issues being confronted by stakeholders in the region; and, future challenges. Three panel discussions focused on unique opportunities & threats in the U.S. Arctic, today’s operating challenges in the dynamic U.S. Arctic Region, and adapting strategies to rapidly evolving U.S. Arctic maritime activities. This seminar brought together expert insight from across the maritime sector, Arctic specialists, and government officials to educate and update you on new technologies, operational advances, and frameworks to advance the collective strategic goals the Arctic will bring to the forefront. The entire recorded webinar, panel presentations, and important links are now available To…
10/18/2021 - New Leadership Takes the Helm at the Marine Exchange of Alaska
A shift in season brought monumental change to the Marine Exchange of Alaska (MXAK) this month with the retirement of Captain Ed Page, USCG (ret.) after 20 years as Executive Director. In his place, MXAK welcomed Captain Steve White, USCG (ret.) who retired from the U.S. Coast Guard in August 2021 after 31 years of active-duty service. Steve joins MXAK with extensive maritime experience including seven tours in Alaska. In his last assignment, he served as Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for Southeast Alaska. When asked why he decided to accept the Executive Director position at MXAK, Steve said he was drawn to the mission and the people. “I worked closely with MXAK during my time with the Coast Guard and I was always impressed. What Ed has built benefits all mariners in Alaska and I’m honored to be a part of this team.” Ed, known internationally for his contributions to…
10/18/2021 - U.S./Russia Joint Arctic Excercise Held in Anchorage
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Marine Rescue Service Russian Federation held their 43rd joint planning group meeting and exercise Aug. 31-Sept. 2 in Anchorage under the 2020 Joint Contingency Plan of the United States of America and the Russian Federation in Combating Pollution on the Bering Sea and Chukchi Seas. U.S. Coast Guard representatives from Headquarters, Pacific Area, the 17th District and Sector Anchorage worked with their Russian Marine Rescue Service counterparts to review the Joint Contingency Plan and update a 2021-2023 joint work plan for improving preparedness and cooperation between the U.S. Coast Guard and Marine Rescue Service Russian Federation in spill response in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. The group toured the Alaska Wildlife Response/International Bird Rescue Center and observed an equipment demonstration at the Alaska Chadux Network headquarters in Anchorage, Alaska to learn more about ACN’s response systems and capabilities. “Meeting our Russian counterparts face-to-face and…
10/18/2021 - F/V St. Patrick Spill Response
On August 6th, Alaska Chadux̂ Network (ACN) was activated to assist Global Diving & Salvage with what was initially reported as a sheen coming from the bottom of Woman’s Bay in Kodiak. It was later discovered that the sheen was coming from the F/V St. Patrick, a riveted steel hull vessel that sank in 1989. The U.S. Coast Guard accessed the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and hired Global Diving & Salvage to assess the wreck and institute oil spill mitigation measures. After being activated by Global Diving & Salvage under our existing agreements, ACN deployed approximately 1,200 feet of boom and sorbent material to contain the spill. The OSRV Ocean Liberty, ACN’s dedicated response vessel under charter from Paradigm Marine, was activated and brought on-site to act as a forward command, dive platform, and berthing vessel for the Global Diving & Salvage team. Every day of the operation, ACN crews monitored the…
08/4/2021 - Maritime Challenges in the U.S. Arctic – A Virtual Seminar
Meeting Maritime Challenges in the U.S. Arctic We must meet maritime challenges in the U.S. Arctic head-on. As the only Alaska-based OSRO nonprofit, we’re so pleased to co-host this unique virtual seminar with our colleagues at NAMEPA (North American Marine Environmental Protection Association)! This informative event will be held on September 8th at 0900(ADT)/1300(EDT). It will address a series of topics, including: a keynote address focusing on the role of the U.S. Arctic in national policies; current issues being confronted by stakeholders in the region; and, future challenges facing the U.S. Arctic Region. Additionally, three panel discussions will be featured. One will focus on unique opportunities and threats in the U.S. Arctic, while another will emphasize today’s operating challenges in the dynamic U.S. Arctic Region. Finally, the third panel will propose adapting strategies to rapidly evolving U.S. Arctic maritime activities. This unique event brings together expert insight from across the maritime sector, Arctic specialists, and…
05/21/2021 - Recognizing U.S. Maritime Day
U.S. Maritime Day was originally recognized and established by Congress in 1933. It marks the anniversary of the first transoceanic voyage undertaken with steam power, made by the steamship Savannah on May 22, 1819. Over the years, the maritime industry has grown and changed significantly, with technological advancement resulting in large tankers and barges that traverse the globe, delivering vital goods nearly everywhere. During the COVID-19 pandemic, despite significant logistical, scheduling, and safety challenges, necessary goods like food, PPE, and clothing continued to be transported and delivered all over the world, keeping the global economy moving and essential workers safe. Much like the pandemic, those challenges still persist, as some crews have been stranded on seafaring vessels for months on end due to COVID-related safety restrictions that have prevented crew changes. While maritime transportation has changed drastically since 1819, what hasn’t changed is the dedication and tenacity of those who transit our waters. So,…
04/22/2021 - Joint Press Release: New Maritime Response Center to Serve Alaska’s Pacific Rim
The Pacific Rim Response Center (PRRC), offering the collaborative services of three long-standing Alaska businesses, is based in Kodiak to provide maritime resources and spill response to the underserved region of Western Alaska. Kodiak, AK; April 21, 2021 – Kodiak is now home to the Pacific Rim Response Center (PRRC), a facility that serves as a hub for a comprehensive suite of maritime resources providing vessel support, marine casualty response, and oil and hazardous spill response. The PRRC was established as a collaboration between Paradigm Marine and strategic partners Alaska Chadux̂ Network (Chadux̂) and Global Diving & Salvage (Global), providing one consolidated location for a range of resources to serve the Western Alaska maritime industry. With personnel and assets staged in Kodiak, the region is better served with Paradigm’s expansive marine construction and vessel fleet along with Chadux̂’s vast inventory of oil spill response resources, and Global’s extensive commercial diving, marine casualty response, and construction capabilities. Located…
04/5/2021 - Building Partnerships to Protect Arctic Marine Wildlife from an Oil Spill
The Arctic region as defined by the U.S. Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 includes the “Great Circle Route.” This route is transited by thousands of large ocean-going vessels annually along the Aleutian Archipelago and supports billions of dollars in essential trade and commerce to and from the United States. This region further includes the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, covering some 3.4 million acres, with a mission to conserve, protect and restore the diverse lands, waters, wildlife and cultural resources of the traditional homelands of Alaskans. Over the years, vessel traffic to the northern Arctic region has drastically increased as the ice recesses and shipping channels remain ice-free for longer periods throughout the year. This increased vessel traffic creates an increased risk of spills. Alaska Chadux̂ Network (ACN) has continuously pioneered and refined solutions to reduce the risk of marine oil spills. Preventing oil spills before they happen is always the best approach….