Incident Description

The towline between the M/V Aiviq and the Conical Drilling Unit (CDU) Kulluk parted on December 27, 2012 due to mechanical failure of the tow shackle. The tow was subsequently regained and lost several more times over several days and involving several other tow vessels. The CDU Kulluk grounded at 8:48 p.m. on December 31 at a location betweethe north end of Ocean Bay and Partition Cove on Sitkalidak Island. After several days of extensive planning and weather delays, the CDU Kulluk was refloated at 10:10 p.m. on January 6, 2013 and relocated to a place of refuge (Kiliuda Bay) for additional salvage and damage assessment. Throughout this incident, there has been no oil or hazardous substance release to the environment.

>> Timeline of Events

>> UC Updates - FINAL (PDF 4.13 MB)

Incident Update

January 9, 2013

• The CDU Kulluk remains safely anchored in Kiliuda Bay at its assessment position. In addition to being anchored, the CDU Kulluk is also tethered to the M/V Lauren Foss and the M/V Corbin Foss. There continues to be no sign of leakage in the vicinity of the CDU Kulluk.
• Support vessels will remain with the CDU Kulluk during the structural assessment phase. Other resources that were brought on board specifically for the salvage operation are in the process of being demobilized. The M/V Alert and the M/V Perseverance were demobilized on January 8.
• The Dive Support Vessel Sand Island arrived in Kiliuda Bay on January 8 to support Remote-Operated Vehicle (ROV) activities, and additional dive activities if needed for structural assessment.
• ROV survey activities will begin on January 9 with a survey of the anchor and chain. The ROV survey will switch to the CDU Kulluk in preparation for survey activities of the hull for damage once additional personnel (from Det Norske Veritas, marine chemist, USCG inspector) arrive.
• The Command Center shifted from the Downtown Marriot to the Frontier Building over the evening of January 8.
• Plans for lifeboat and debris removal operations are being advanced. Preliminary results depict that some diesel fuel was released from at least two of the 4 lifeboats. The quantity of fuel on board these vessels was relatively small, and the environmental impact, if any, will be determined during site visits conducted to remove the vessels.

>> see current Situation Report for more information

>> see Incident Chronology for previous incident updates

Interactive Map-Based Resource Information

This interactive GIS-based map shows the Kulluk grounding location and environmentally sensitive areas identified by state and federal agencies as a part of their spill response planning efforts and included in documents such as the Kodiak Island Subarea Plan.

>> Open Map

Response Plans and Resources

Response Plans

• Unified Plan: Alaska Federal and State Preparedness Plan for Response to Oil and Hazardous Substance Discharges and Releases
• Kodiak Island Subarea Plan
• Geographic Response Strategies for Southern Zone Kodiak Island Subarea
• Potential Places of Refuge -- Kodiak
• Spill Tactics for Alaska Responders (STAR) Manual
• Emergency Response Maps - Kodiak Island
• Alaska Incident Management System (AIMS) Guide for Oil and Hazardous Substance Response cooperatively developed by industry, spill coops, Federal and State agencies.

Response Resources and Technical Information

• Permits Tool
• Emergency Towing System Information about the Department's Emergency Towing System (ETS) packages being used for this incident.

Weather and Tides

• Zone Forecast: Shuyak Island To Sitkinak (PKZ132)
• Sunrise/Sunset for Sitkalidak Island Table of sunrise/sunset times for the grounding location (source: US Naval Observatory)
• Tide Information for Port Hobron, Sitkalidak Island, AK

Vessel Information

• Kulluk Fact Sheet