City of Homer

Port / Harbor Telephone (907) 235-3160

4350 Homer Spit Road Fax (907) 235-3152

Homer, Alaska 99603-8005 E-mail Port@ci.homer.ak.us

Web Site http://port.ci.homer.ak.us

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MEMORANDUM 06-59

TO: Port and Harbor Advisory Commission

FROM: Steve Dean, Port and Harbor Director

DATE: March 15, 2006

RE: New Business, Item A, TV Seabulk Pride grounding and local preparedness

Background

The TV Seabulk Pride went aground on February 2, 2006 in the Cook Inlet near Nikiski. The vessel was successfully refloated with tug assistance on February 3. The damaged vessel was escorted to Kachemak Bay as the nearest “Port of refuge” during the evening of February 3. Dive surveys, damage assessments and temporary repairs were conducted at anchor in Kachemak Bay from February 3 – 8. The vessel departed Kachemak Bay for Anacortes, WA late on February 8.

Southwest Alaska Pilots Association (SWAPA), Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council (CIRCAC) and other concerned parties are developing recommendations to be forwarded to the United States Coast Guard regarding future shipping operations in Cook Inlet particularly with regards to escort vessels and the pre-staging of oil spill response supplies in the region.

The Port and Harbor Advisory Commission discussed this incident during the Port and Harbor Director’s staff report at its February 22, 2006 meeting. The Commission asked that further discussion be conducted as a New Business item at the March 22, 2006 meeting.

Recommendation

Discuss the Tanker Seabulk Pride incident of February 2, 2006 with the goal of providing recommendations to the appropriate regulatory agencies regarding the use of escort tugs and staging additional oil spill response supplies in Kachemak Bay.

U:office/Port and Harbor Advisory/Comm 06/TV Seabulk Pride march