Salvage teams successfully attached the main tow line to Shell’s Kulluk drilling unit on Sunday 6 January 2013 at 4 p.m. Alaskan time and Unified Command has confirmed that all elements are in place for towing operations to proceed. Tension was to be maintained on the line overnight, with recovery expected to begin 7 January 2013. However, the salvage master had the discretion to initiate the tow earlier, should favourable conditions occur throughout the night.

The proposed plan is to move the Kulluk from its grounded position in Ocean Bay to Kiliuda Bay, about 30 miles north.

The tow will include several vessels, including the Aiviq, an anchor-handling vessel with ship towing capabilities. A U.S. Coast Guard marine inspector is aboard the Aiviq. The salvage master is aboard the Kulluk and will remain during transit to Kiliuda Bay. The tug Alert will also be connected to the Kulluk and assist in the tow. A 10-member salvage crew and one Shell representative are on board the Kulluk and will remain on the drilling unit throughout the tow.

Three Seattle-based ocean-going tugs, all with towing capabilities, will support the transit – Ocean Wave, Corbin Foss and Lauren Foss. The Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley will escort the tow to Kiliuda Bay. A 500-yard radius safety zone around the Kulluk will follow the tow and remain in place once it is anchored in Kiliuda Bay.

Onshore, nearshore and offshore oil spill assets, including response vessels, will be on-scene in Ocean Bay and during transit as a part of the response action. Further aerial and onboard inspections by recovery teams assessing the Kulluk drillship confirm the vessel remains firmly aground and stable. The teams also report there remains no sign of environmental impact and no leakage of the diesel fuel or hydraulic fluid stored in strong tanks onboard the vessel.

 (spill-international.com, Edited by Topco)