Exxon Valdez Prince William Sound ALaska Prince William

Exxon Valdez

Prince William Sound, ALaska

Prince William Sound, ALaska • March 24 th, 1989 • One of worst environmental disasters in N. Ameria • Exxon Valdez oil tanker spilled > 41. 5 million litres of crude oil

Prince William Sound, ALaska • March 23 th, 1989 • Exxon Valdez left Valdez Alaska with 200 million litres of crude oil for Long Beach California • Lots of icebergs & captian Joe Hazelwood order helmsman to leave shipping lanes

Prince William Sound, ALaska

Prince William Sound, ALaska • Helmsman (Robert Kagan) failed to turn tanker back to shipping lanes • Tanker ran aground on Bligh Reef • 8 of 11 cargo tanks burst open and millions of litres of oil spewed out to Prince William Sound

Prince William Sound, ALaska

Prince William Sound, ALaska • No loss of human life • Residents complained of health problems and lasting illnesses • Permanent damage to wildlife, fisheries and entire ecosystem • Court blamed Exxon for failing to properly supervise Captain • US coast guard blamed for not providing quick response (10 hours to come to site)

Prince William Sound, ALaska • Exxon ordered to pay $5 billion in damages to coastal communities • Appealed in court --> tied up in court final settlement $570 million • 2005 Exxon made $35 billion profit

The Aftermath • US Congress passed Oil Pollution Act of 1990 • Companies cannot ship oil into US unless they have emergency cleanup plan • Training for crisis situation more serious • Tankers must have coastal pilot on board • Must carry special equipment to help stop any spill from spreading • Blood alcohol test required if crew member shows sign of drunkenness