Predictions of oil spill disaster off the coast of Alaska came perilously close to reality last week. The drilling rig
Kulluk was towed south from the Beaufort Sea when it got caught in near hurricane conditions. The two vessels towing the Kulluk were dragged towards shore in thirty foot seas and high winds. Ship crews cut the rig loose to avoid disaster. The Kulluk grounded on Sitkalidak Island near Kodiak Island on Alaska's south coast
[photo courtesy USCG]. The island is uninhabited, but is habitat for endangered whales and seabirds. Shell's drill rig contains 143,000 gallons of diesel and about 12,000 gallons of hydraulic fluid. The rig remained grounded for a week in bad weather before salvage crews were able to refloat it late Sunday night. It is now being towed to Kiliuda Bay on Kodiak where it will undergo inspection and repairs. Kiliuda Bay is also a pristine body of water accessible only by float plane or boat.
Kulluk has been issued three pollution enforcement warnings. A recent Coast Guard inspection found 19 deficiencies in electrical and maintenance systems.
Another drilling rig operated by Noble Drilling for Shell Oil in Alaska, the drill ship
Noble Discoverer, is being investigated for pollution violations. The ship was plagued with equipment violations upon inspection in Seattle, but proceeded north after correcting the deficiencies. In Dutch Harbor, Alaska the ship nearly grounded and then caught fire. It was issued a warning for a pollution source and finally detained in port for repairs. The ship is now in Seward undergoing further repairs. The issue of drilling in the Arctic has received considerable attention from environmentalists concerned about the impact of an oil spill in harsh conditions that make an effective clean up nearly impossible. Both the NRDC and the Wilderness Society asked the Obama Administration to put a hold on future approvals of oil exploration in the the Arctic Ocean. The near loss of the
Kulluk and other accidents emphasize the huge risks involved in operating in remote, environmentally sensitive areas.
