Old Harbor Native Corporation News

The 'Unified Command' continues to oversee preparations for the next steps in the 'Kulluk' response. Multiple entities remain involved including: the U.S. Coast Guard, Shell, the State of Alaska, Smit Salvage and Det Norske Veritas. Unified Command’s priority continues to be the safety of all personnel and the environment. Tow equipment has been secured and is currently in Kodiak. The Kulluk’s openings on the main deck (i.e., windows and hatches) have been secured and in some…

Update #37: Kulluk assessment continues, Sitkalidak Island debris removal. Assessment of the Kulluk drilling vessel in Kiliuda Bay continues, with inspection-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) being utilized to assess the hull. There continues to be no sign of leakage from the Kulluk. Assessment crews at the direction of Unified Command, along with local representation from Old Harbor Native Corporation, continue to survey the grounding area in Sitkalidak Island to enable the recovery of survival and rescue boats and other debris from the Kulluk. Cleanup activities on the shoreline will proceed in the next few days, daylight and weather permitting. A local archeologist visited the grounding site Jan.

Kulluk remains anchored in Alaska's Kiliuda Bay, ROVs due to arrive for hull integrity assessment. The Kulluk remains safely anchored in Kiliuda Bay at its assessment position. There continues to be no sign of leakage in the vicinity. Support vessels will remain with the Kulluk during its assessment, while other resources contracted specifically for the salvage operation are in the process of demobilizing. Remote-Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are arriving at the Kulluk later today to begin assessing the hull. Divers will be deployed if necessary.

The 'Kulluk', towed by the 'AHTS Aiviq' has arrived in the safe harbor for assessment of any damage caused by its recent grounding. The Kulluk was refloated from its Ocean Bay position, off Sitkalidak Island, late Jan. 6, and will remain connected to its support vessels while it undergoes assessment in Kiliuda Bay, located about 30 miles north of Ocean Bay. The final location for assessment within the Bay will be determined by environmental conditions, including weather. The Coast…