Crowley issues Pathfinder spill estimate

Valdez-based tugboat hit infamous Bligh Reef two days before Christmas; plans made to tow craft to shipyard for repairs

Wesley Loy

For Petroleum News

Crowley Maritime Corp. was continuing work to patch up its damaged tugboat Pathfinder for towing from Valdez to a still undetermined shipyard for permanent repairs.

Meantime, the company released an estimate of the total volume of diesel fuel that spilled into Prince William Sound after the tug hit infamous Bligh Reef on Dec. 23.

The estimate was 6,410 gallons based an assessment of the vessel’s damaged fuel tanks.

“We are of the opinion that it represents a ‘worst case’ estimate of the fuel release,” said Stephen Wilson, Crowley director of environmental, safety and quality assurance.

The U.S. Coast Guard as well as state officials continue to investigate the grounding on Bligh Reef, the same well-marked marine hazard the tanker Exxon Valdez struck in 1989.

No injuries were reported from the mishap. Crowley has relieved the captain and second mate pending the outcome of the investigation.

The probe involves interviewing the tug’s six-member crew and analyzing data on the path of the tug prior to the grounding, said Coast Guard Petty Officer David Mosley. The Coast Guard also is reviewing the performance of its vessel tracking center in Valdez.

The 136-foot Pathfinder is an older tug used mainly for helping oil tankers berth at the Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. terminal. Several more powerful and more modern tugs are used for tanker escort.

The Pathfinder also was used for jobs such as scouting for dangerous ice in the Prince William Sound shipping lanes. It had just completed a scouting run and was headed back to port when it hit the reef, the Coast Guard said.

The tug sustained severe keel damage in the collision with the rock.

Crowley has sent a replacement tug, the Guardian, to replace the Pathfinder, which remains moored at the Valdez Container Terminal under 24-hour watch.