Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

Date:Jan. 11, 2007
Contact: Anil Mathur, ATC, (971) 409-0543
DOE:Curt Hart (360) 407-6990 (o), (360) 480-7908 (cell)
USCG: LCDR Rick Rodriguez, (206) 217-6002

Released by: Washington State Department of Ecology
U.S. Coast Guard
Alaska Tanker Company

JOINT INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
FOR TWO ALASKAN OIL TANKERS

In late December, the Alaskan Frontier and Alaskan Navigator lost anchors in heavy weather while transiting from Valdez, Alaska, to Long Beach, California. There were no injuries to the crew or harm to the environment in either incident. A subsequent inspection of the remaining anchor on each vessel revealed a material defect in each anchor. ATC has taken the vessels out of service until replacement anchors can be installed. ATC is working with the ship's manufacturer, NASSCO, to understand the anchor failure.

"We immediately advised the Coast Guard and other agencies as required and have worked cooperatively since this discovery," said Anil Mathur, president and CEO of ATC. "We are able to put in place interim repair options that will continue to ensure the highest standard of transport safety."

Both the Frontier and Navigator have off-loaded their cargoes and are empty vessels. Four anchors have been identified for replacement and are being air-freighted to Seattle and will be fitted to both ships within the coming days.

The Alaskan Frontier is berthed at Port Angeles where new anchors will be installed.  Tomorrow, the Alaskan Navigator will transit to Pier 30 in Seattle where work will be done to install new anchors.

Dale Jensen, who oversees oil spill prevention, preparedness and response activities for the Washington Ecology Department, said the measures ATC is taking are consistent with Ecology's top priorities to promote safe maritime practices and prevent possible oil spills. "We commend the company for taking these actions that are paramount for safe vessel operations in state waters."

"The Coast Guard is absolutely concerned with the problems associated with these anchor failures.  However, we are confident that ATC has taken the necessary risk mitigation measures to protect the ships and the Puget Sound environment." said Commander Mark Huebschman, the Coast Guard Acting Captain of the Port.

Anchors on the two remaining vessels of the class - the Alaskan Legend and the Alaskan Explorer -- will be inspected soon. The Legend is en route to Cherry Point, Washington from Long Beach. Its anchors will be inspected upon arrival. The Explorer's anchors will be inspected in Long Beach.

ATC continues to operate the Prince William Sound and will continue to utilize the Denali to transport Alaskan crude to west coast markets. No impact to Alaska North Slope crude oil supply is expected.

Alaska Tanker Company facts and figures:

• o The Alaska class vessels are environmentally-friendly with a "double-double design," which incorporates double-hulls, dual rudders and dual engineering suites allow for sufficient redundancy to meet demanding operational conditions.
• o The Alaska class tankers have a capacity of about 1.3 barrels each.
• o The ships were delivered between 2004 - 2006 at a cost of about $250 million each.
• o ATC has an outstanding safety and environmental performance records during the time the Alaskan Class ships have been in operation.
• o ATC won the Benkert Award from the US Coast Guard for environmental and safety performance in 2005.

For more information about ATC visit http://www.aktanker.com/
Other websites: Washington Department of Ecology http://www.ecy.wa.gov/.
USCG http://www.uscg.mil/ 

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