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T/V Exxon Valdez

Bligh Reef, Prince William Sound, Alaska
Subject Report - Situation
Posting Date 1989-Sep-10

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS BASED ON THE MOST CURRENT DATA PROVIDED TO NOAA. - EVENING
REPORT  SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH  VALDEZ: Situation: Robinson continues site visits to
Seward, Homer and Kodiak.  Valdez office is beginning to prepare for demobilization.
KODIAK: (Talbott) Situation: Weather has improved and the demobilization process is
continuing. The east side of Shuyak Island has been signed off, two parties are working
the Alaska Peninsula from Portage Bay to Chignik.  The incinerator barge is being prepared
for transit to Seattle.  VADM Robbins is due to arrive in Kodiak.  Flights/Beach Surveys:
Four flights are in the field for demobilization inspections. Two are on the Alaska
Peninsula, one on Shuyak Island and one in the Spruce Island area. Weather permitting,
demobilization inspections will be completed in the Kodiak zone in 4-5 days.  Plans for
Tomorrow: VADM Robbins will be in Kodiak to meet with the MAC committee after touring the
area.  Meet with John Robinson.   SEWARD: (McGee) Report for 9/9 - Situation:  VADM
Robbins, USCG FOSC and John Robinson NOAA arrived in Seward.  Informal meetings were held
with USCG, ADEC, and EXXON officials.  The formal MAC meeting was held. At both meetings,
the primary focus was on the 'EXXON WINTER PLAN' and how it is tailored to meet the
response needs of people in the Seward zone.  There is some concern that the vessels: two
(2) 150 foot vessels positioned outside the Seward zone would not be able to respond fast
enough to prevent impact on the beach.  EXXON stated that it was its policy NOT to use
smaller fishing vessels to respond to oil spills during the winter.  Some disagreement was
voiced by the local fishermen.  Their point was that they make their living during the
winter months on these same waters and should be given an opportunity to demonstrate their
expertise.  Another issue at the meeting was that of 'volunteers', referring to a specific
critical habitat area. The Admiral stated that he had no problem with volunteers however,
he was not going to force EXXON to treat the area when it had been determined by them and
others to be unsafe to work during the time frame remaining.   A list of seven (7) sites
remain for demobilization.  The weather has prevented Type 'A' operations from continuing
at Hoof Point. This afternoon, USF&WLS representatives requested the USCG advise EXXON
that operations should cease at Hoof Pt.  OVERFLIGHTS  (McGee) Overflights were cancelled
due to weather.  MEETINGS Several informal and formal meetings were held and discussed
above.  PLANS FOR TOMORROW Continue preparing for demobilization.  PERSONNEL ON SCENE:
Valdez:  Gleason, Hammett, Wong, Dale, Van Den Berg, Christopherson  Kodiak: Talbott,
Robinson  Seward: McGee  Departures:  Walker