Exxon Valdez Oil Spill of 1989 By Ramsey

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill of 1989 By: Ramsey Diven

Introduction -Occurred in March of 1989 -Exxon Valdez Supertanker ran aground on Bligh Reef -11 million gallons of oil spilled into Prince William Sound, Alaska

Intro Continued -The Ship’s Captain, Joseph J. Hazelwood impaired by alcohol -He gave Gregory Cousins (third mate) instruction to leave shipping lanes to avoid icebergs. -Robert Kagan replaced Cousins, failed to make the turn back into shipping lanes. -Ran aground Bligh Reef around midnight March 24, 1989

Effects of The Spill -1, 300 miles of shoreline impacted - Oil can still be found in virtually every cove or beach, just under the surface (Rj Kopchak) -Many people lost source of income due to decrease in fish population -A countless number of animals died; estimates are: 250, 000 seabirds, 2, 800 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, up to 22 killer whales, and billions of salmon

Human Aspect -Captain impaired by alcohol -Crew member’s suffered from fatigue -Exxon had not properly prepared the ship -Exxon was not prepared for an accident of such extremes

Animals Affected - Seabirds -Sea otters -Harbor seals -Bald eagles -Killer Whales -Salmon & Herring eggs

Clean Up - 3 methods: burning, mechanical cleanup, chemical dispersants

New Rules and Regulations - US Coast guard now closely monitors tankers via satellite -Two escort vessels accompany tanker through the sound -Congress established legislation requiring tankers to be double-hulled by 2015 -Contingency planning for oil spills up to 12. 6 million gallons - skimming systems now recover 300, 000 barrels in 72 hours

New Rules and Regulations Continued - seven barges available to put oil/water mix into, can hold over 800, 000 barrels - 40 miles of containment boom in PW Sound -Dispersants are plenty, systems in place to apply from helicopters, airplanes, and boats

Works Cited http: //topics. nytimes. com/top/reference/timestopics/sub jects/e/exxon_valdez_oil_spill_1989/ http: //www. evostc. state. ak. us/index. cfm? FA=facts. QA http: //www. pewenvironment. org/news-room/otherresources/lingering-oil-the-lasting-effects-of-exxonvaldez-329127 http: //www. valdezrca. com/ http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Exxon_Valdez_oil_spill#Id entified_causes