Started by Mike Sato
Mar 14, 2021

With increased vessel traffic around the San Juan Islands, some worry that the risk of oil spills may be rising as well. A new study makes the case that an emergency response tug stationed in the islands would be money well-spent.(Salish Current) 3/12/21

Comment by Dan Post
Mar 19, 2021

This morning I was at the Anacortes ferry landing catching the 9:25 to Lopez. A tanker went past going into Anacortes and had two tugs with it. One was tethered to the stern of the tanker and the other tug was beside.

Comment by Mike Colyar
Mar 19, 2021

Lovel,

As you note, and I said in my post, the existing tug arrangement only applies to loaded tankers. And, indeed, they are only part of the problem.
Also, having read all of the attached documents, I feel that they understate the impacts of a significant spill. It's not just money. If the big one happens, it's game over. It will not ... Read All

Comment by Lovel Pratt (Friends of the San Juans)
San Juan Island
Mar 19, 2021

Tug escorts for laden tankers are essential. However, tankers are not the only large commercial vessels with accident and oil spill risk. For example, container ships don't have tug escorts and they carry between 1.5 million and 4.5 million gallons of propulsion fuel.
I recommend watching the presentation that's referenced in the Salish Curren ... Read All

Comment by Mike Colyar
Mar 19, 2021

I received this via email from lopezian Keith Sternberg who has considerable expertise and experience having been a tug boat captain in the past. It would seem that there is already a system in effect that uses a tug in attendance to tankers as they transit these waters.
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"The Salish Current article does not menti ... Read All

Comment by Mike Colyar
Mar 16, 2021

Absolutely true.

These waters are full of small boats. Endless possibilities for conflicts. The noise from the tanker props is a major source of problems for the Orcas. All this talk of mitigation and rescue tugs and spill cleanup is just nonsense. once it's done, it's all over.

And just who and whose insurance policy is going to ... Read All

Comment by Nathan Donnelly
Mar 16, 2021

The single best way to prevent oil spills here is to stop the insane practice of shipping it through here in the first place. Tanker traffic in the Salish will increase by 700% if proposed pipelines (mentioned in the article) are built! The Salish Sea has been described as the most complicated waterway on Earth, we don't need to be weaving tankers throu ... Read All

Comment by Ben, Jenn June & Nico Greenberg
Mar 14, 2021

I believe this is a no brainer! The writings on the wall. I'm personally astonished there's not an ERTV near by. There should be 2. A back up and or team effort between 🇨🇦 and 🇺🇸. Also in my humble opinion hundreds of thousands spent on the research for this project could have been put toward these vessels.