Towing exercise carried out in Cook Inlet

Petroleum News Alaska

The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council reports that Tesoro Alaska and Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response Inc. carried out a successful tanker towing exercise in Cook Inlet July 6.

The Cook Inlet RCAC said the towing procedure involved Tesoro’s double hull tanker, Cape Lookout Shoals, and the Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response vessel, Seabulk Montana and was the first time either vessel has been involved in a towing exercise in Cook Inlet. The general purpose of the exercise was to practice and improve techniques used to rescue a disabled tanker in Cook Inlet.

Goals of the exercise were to gather information that can be used to improve emergency towing procedures for Tesoro-chartered vessels in Cook Inlet; provide Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response assist vessel operators and tanker personnel practical experience in emergency towing operations with a loaded tanker; gain practical experience about assist vessel and tanker towing equipment and arrangements; and practice specific techniques for tanker rescue with tow line.

The Cook Inlet RCAC said the exercise took place in the early evening under favorable conditions. Southeast of Kalgin Island, the Cape Lookout Shoals stopped its main engine and deployed its emergency towing line off the bow. The line was picked up by the crew on board the Seabulk Montana and connected to the towing wire of the response vessel. Once the connections were secured, the Seabulk Montana began towing the tanker, which was carrying 250,000 barrels of oil.

The goal was to change the tanker’s course in 90 degree increments, to 180 degrees. The exercise was also designed to demonstrate the Seabulk Montana’s ability to tow the tanker into the current. Following approximately 15 minutes of towing, the tanker was towed back to its original heading and the lines were released. The exercise was observed by representatives from the Coast Guard and Cook Inlet RCAC.