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Accidents

EXXON VALDEZ (1989)

The U.S.-flagged tankship EXXON VALDEZ grounded on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound after leaving the traffic lanes to avoid ice, rupturing eight cargo tanks and causing a major crude-oil spill.

Classification

  • Incident Type: Grounded
  • Severity: High
  • Evidence: National Transportation Safety Board investigation and safety recommendations

The grounding caused extensive vessel damage and environmental damage. Tugs assisted the vessel during departure from the terminal, but the grounding occurred during the vessel's navigation toward Bligh Reef.

Vessel Details

FieldValue
Vessel NameEXXON VALDEZ
Vessel TypeTanker
Flag StateUnited States [US]
IMO Number8414520
Gross Tonnage
LOA (m)300.8
Breadth (m)
TEU
Year Built
Crew Size

Incident Details

FieldValue
Date1989-03-24
LocationPrince William Sound, Alaska, USA
Coordinates60.83,-146.87
RegionUnited States
Fatalities0
Injuries0
Missing
Cargo LossApproximately 258,000 barrels of crude oil
Direct DamageUSD 25 million vessel damage
Economic DamageUSD 1.85 billion cleanup cost (1989 estimate)
Insured Loss
Salvage/Cleanup CostUSD 1.85 billion during 1989, NTSB estimate

Key facts

  • The NTSB recorded the event as investigation DCA89MM040 and marked the investigation completed.
  • The vessel was loaded with about 1,263,000 barrels of crude oil. Eight of eleven cargo tanks ruptured and approximately 258,000 barrels spilled.
  • The NTSB reported no injuries. The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council reports that no human lives were lost directly in the disaster; it separately notes four deaths associated with the cleanup effort.
  • The NTSB estimated vessel damage at USD 25 million, lost cargo at USD 3.4 million, and 1989 cleanup costs at about USD 1.85 billion.
  • Official records differ in coordinate precision; a Coast Guard pollution record places the grounding at approximately 60.8567, -146.8717.

Narrative

EXXON VALDEZ departed the Alyeska Pipeline Terminal at about 21:12 on 23 March 1989 with a cargo of North Slope crude oil bound for Long Beach, California. The vessel diverted from the traffic lanes to avoid glacial ice. Shortly after midnight on 24 March, it grounded on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound. The grounding ruptured eight cargo tanks and released approximately 258,000 barrels of crude oil.

The NTSB's findings linked the casualty to the third mate's fatigue and failure to maneuver at the proper time, the master's alcohol impairment and absence from the navigational watch, Exxon Shipping Company's manning and alcohol-monitoring practices, and deficiencies in the Valdez Vessel Traffic Service and pilotage arrangements.

Sequence of events

Date and timeEvent
1989-03-23 21:12EXXON VALDEZ left the Alyeska Pipeline Terminal.
1989-03-23 23:25The master advised the Valdez Vessel Traffic Center that the vessel would cross the lanes to avoid ice.
1989-03-24 shortly after midnightThe vessel grounded on Bligh Reef while under the navigational control of the third mate.
1989-03-24 00:28The Coast Guard was notified that the vessel was hard aground; response and pollution-control actions began.

Contributing factors

FactorEvidence labelEvidence
Third mate fatigue and excessive workloadConfirmed finding (NTSB)The NTSB concluded that the third mate had very limited sleep, had worked a stressful and physically demanding day, and was working beyond the normal watch period.
Failure to execute the turn in timeConfirmed finding (NTSB)The NTSB safety recommendation states that the vessel was under the third mate's navigational control when it grounded.
Master's alcohol impairment and inadequate company controlsConfirmed finding (NTSB)NTSB recommendations addressed the alcohol-impaired master and found Exxon management's monitoring and rehabilitation controls inadequate.
Reduced manning and insufficient rested watchkeeping personnelConfirmed finding (NTSB)The NTSB found that reduced manning compromised watchkeeping safeguards and that Exxon did not ensure a rested deck officer was available at departure.
Vessel Traffic Service and pilotage deficienciesConfirmed finding (NTSB)The NTSB investigation identified deficiencies in the Valdez Vessel Traffic Service and pilotage arrangements.

Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board investigation DCA89MM040 is marked completed. Its report is MAR-90-04, Grounding of the U.S. Tankship EXXON VALDEZ on Bligh Reef, Prince William Sound Near Valdez, Alaska, March 24, 1989. The NTSB issued safety recommendations concerning fatigue, manning, alcohol controls, bridge watchkeeping, Coast Guard oversight, and navigation in Prince William Sound.

References

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