Safety in the ArcticSafe Maritime Operations

= Environmentally Sound Maritime

OperationsJim Butler

Managing DirectorAlaska Maritime Prevention & Response Network

Anchorage Alaska – August 13, 2015www.ak-mprn.org

IntroductionOverview of Presentation

What is “Safety”Overview of Arctic ShippingWhy is “Safety” so difficultExamples of “Safety” or risk

reductionNew risk reduction technology

What is “Safety?”the state of being safe; freedom from

the occurrence or risk of injury, danger, or loss.

the quality of averting or not causing injury, danger, or loss.

a contrivance or device to prevent injury or avert danger.

the action of keeping safe.

Overview of Arctic ship traffic

Oct 2012-Oct 2013

Ship number2009 - 2014

Southbound Northbound Ship passage tracks

Coast Guard Chief of Marine SafetyRear Admiral North Testimony to Congress re OPA 90

"Once the oil is spilled, the environment will be affected no matter how well the response is

orchestrated. Simply put, prevention is still the best

response"

§155.5015   Applicability.(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, this subpart applies to each self-propelled vessel that—(1) Carries oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion;(2) Is not a tank vessel or is not certificated as a tank vessel;(3) Operates upon the navigable waters of the United States, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(17a); and(4) Is 400 gross tons or more as measured under the convention measurement system in 46 U.S.C. 14302 or the regulatory measurement system of 46 U.S.C. 14502 for vessels not measured under 46 U.S.C. 14302.

Safety v. Response?

Safetyv.

Response

33 CFR §155.5067 Alternative planning criteria. (a) When the owner or operator of a nontank vessel believes that national planning criteria contained elsewhere in this part are inappropriate for the areas in which the vessel intends to operate, the vessel owner or operator may submit an alternative planning criteria request to the Coast Guard.

What is an APC?

Inappropriate - not appropriate, not proper or suitableOpportunity - a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success

33 CFR 155.5067The request should contain at a minimum—

Reason(s) and supporting information for the alternative planning criteria request;

Identification of regulations necessitating the alternative planning criteria request;

Proposals for alternative procedures, methods, or equipment standards, where applicable, to provide for an equivalent level of planning, response, or pollution mitigation strategies;

Prevention and mitigation strategies that ensure low risk of spills and adequate response measures as a result of the alternative planning criteria; and

Environmental and economic impact assessments of the effects

Nonprofit corporation administering “APC” throughout WAK and PWS Captain of the Port Zones to aid safe and

environmentally sound maritime operations.

What is the “Network?

Network Board Reflects Maritime Industry

Ed Page, President – Marine Exchange Alaska (Ports and vessels)

David DeVilbiss, V.P. – Global Diving & Salvage (Response) Mike Moore, Sec / Tres - Pacific Maritime Shipping Assn

(West coast shipping) Mike Inman – Holland America Lines (Cruise ships) Danny Ellis - Horizon Lines (Domestic cargo vessels) Mark Remijan – APL Shipping (Foreign / U.S. cargo

vessels) Frank Vargas - American Seafoods (Fishing industry) Don Martin – Delta Western (Tank Vessel Operator;

Western Alaska)

Network APC reduces risk / enhance capability based on reality of WAK operational environment

Information

Capabilities Time

INFORMATIONNotice of Incident, Location of vessels in

distress, Location of assist vessels.

TIMEDistance offshore provides time for assist

vessels or tools to arriveEarly detection and immediate location of

assist resources buys more time

CAPABILITIESMonitoring locations of Assist vessels, Emergency Towing Systems, Vessels of

Opportunity, Oil Spill Response Resources New technologies

Safety!

Remote Approx entire west coast

Lack of infrastructure Ports, air, support services

Harsh operating environment Cold, wind, dark

Economic pressure Invest v. sustain

Very sensitive cultural and environmental factors Subsistence and heritage

Unfamiliar operators Transient vessels

Why is “Safety” difficult in the Arctic and “Prevention” so

important?

Western Alaska– APC program creates opportunities and incentives to reduce risk with demonstrated success after 18 months …

Risk reduction … routing and deviationsMonitoring … 24x7x365

Information Time Capability

Strategic enhancement of response resources Must work with locals

New technology / approaches …

Look for examples to import / reinforce in Arctic maritime operations – leverage

lessons learned.

Before and After Routing Measures

24 x 7 Monitoring Creates Results – Reduces Risks

APC Risk Reduction in Action

Ocean going ship arrestor project overviewShow field test video

Example of industry supported new technology to Reduce Risk of Marine

Casualty

Continue dialogue of all interested parties Ship operators, Responders (SMFF / OSRO, locals),

Agencies, StakeholdersThink “in the box” in addition to “out of the

box” Look for success in other areas Leverage experience and temper with new

perspectivesDon’t let inappropriate regulatory regimes

control options to reduce risk A new area ~ era should benefit from new

approaches

Conclusion