The Transportation Research Board of the National Academies issued a notice stating that its Special Report 293 – “Risk of Vessels Accidents and Spills in the Aleutian Islands: Designing a Comprehensive Risk Assessment” has been published. The report recommends that a structured risk assessment be performed in two phases: (1) a preliminary risk assessment; and (2) a focused risk assessment. In the interim, it recommends: (a) that the Coast Guard expand the AIS tracking network along the Aleutian chain and covering the southern North Pacific Great Circle Route; (b) that the Coast Guard and the State of Alaska investigate funding and mechanisms for possible stationing of an Aleutian recue tug; (c) that the Coast Guard investigate the possible structure and costs of a Vessel Traffic Information System for Unimak Pass and Dutch Harbor; and (d) that consideration be given to tracking and monitoring vessel traffic in certain congested areas. (1/27/09).
(Source: Holland & Knight)