Welcome to the Alaska Emergency Towing Systems Project
UPDATE: An updated version of the Alaska ETS Manual is now available, please click HERE. |
This webpage contains links to the Emergency Towing System (ETS) procedure manual, workgroup meetings exercise information and reports. It also serves as a resource for general public information regarding the ETS program.
An Emergency Towing System (ETS) is a pre-staged package of equipment that may be deployed in the event a disabled vessel requires assistance in accessing a place of refuge. A manual that instructs responders on the operations of system as well as procedures for deployment accompanies the system. The system is designed to use vessels of opportunity to assist disabled vessels that are in Alaskan waters. It consists of a lightweight high performance towline, a messenger line used in deploying the towline, a lighted buoy, and chafing gear. These components may be configured to deploy to a disabled ship from the stern of a tugboat or airdropped to the ship’s deck via helicopter.
Project Background
Within the last decade, several distressed or stricken vessel incidents occurred in or near Alaska. In a few cases these have caused environmental and economic repercussions. In each situation, the vessel was large tramper or cargo type vessels, which generally carry fuel in bottom tanks, thus posing a significant pollution risk in grounding.
The ETS program came into existence following the near grounding of the Salica Frigo on March 9, 2007 in Unalaska Bay. The Mayor of Unalaska convened a Disabled Vessel workgroup to address the possibility of future groundings and to discuss local emergency response solutions. This initial meeting prompted the Emergency Towing System (ETS) workgroup; whose goal was to develop emergency towing capabilities for disabled vessels in the Aleutian Subarea using locally available tugboats in conjunction with ETS equipment stationed in Unalaska.
The project continued over the past five years with a mobilization and deployment exercise conducted annually in Unalaska. In December of 2010 the ETS system was deployed from Unalaska in an emergency situation to assist the disable cargo vessel Golden Seas. This equipment, along with the availability of an appropriate sized towing vessel helped avert a possible grounding.
Since the programs origin, it has expanded statewide. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has purchased and stored 10 inch Emergency Towing Systems at the USCG Air Station in Kodiak and Sitka, the Navy Supervisor of Salvage warehouse at Fort Richardson, and the Emergency Response warehouse in Adak, Alaska.
ETS Manual
The following link can be used to download the most current version of the ETS Manual (September 2011). There is an older training DVD that can be provided upon request.
Alaska ETS Procedures Manual – Sept. 2011: V003 - Print Ready (27MB zipped PDF file)
Comments on the manual and requests for copies of the DVD can be sent to: john.brown@alaska.gov.
ETS Workgroup Information
Members of the ETS Workgroup include State, Federal and City government representatives, professional industry representatives (local and national) and oil spill prevention professionals. You can download a copy of the workgroup list HERE.
Meeting schedules, agendas, handouts and summaries are posted here and are continually updated to provide public access to the planning process. Please contact mark@nukaresearch.com for more information regarding the workgroup.
ETS Exercises
To familiarize the USCG and local mariners regarding the use of the ETS, exercises are being planned for:
Unalaska, Alaska (date to be determined)
Exercise schedules, agendas and plans will be posted HERE (link to exercise information) Note: This information is currently being worked on and not ready for posting.
ETS Deployment Photo Gallery
July 20-22, 2011 – Juneau, Alaska ETS Deployment Exercise
Press Release: Agencies to Conduct Emergency Towing System Exercise in Juneau
Day 1
Day 2
July 31, 2007 – Aleutian Islands ETS Deployment Exercise
| Aleutian Islands ETS Deployment Exercise -- July 2007 | |||
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This page was updated: November 9, 2011 by Nuka Research & Planning Group, LLC