Blog.HaulingGear.com Archive (8-2008 to 3-2014)

By Jim Polson - Dec 30, 2012 10:05 AM GMT-0900 Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA) said an Arctic drilling barge, headed to Seattle for maintenance, was safely recovered yesterday after being set adrift during a storm in the Gulf of Alaska. Crew of the Shell-owned barge, Kulluk, were evacuated last night as a precaution after towing resumed, said Curtis Smith, an Alaska-based Shell spokesman, in a telephone interview today. The offshore tug Aiviq recovered the Kulluk. Shell has invested $4.5 billion in offshore leases and equipment and fought at least 50 lawsuits from environmental groups to begin drilling in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas this year, the first... http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-30/shell-says-arctic-drilling-rig-kulluk-recaptured-in-stormy-seas.html Unified Command DATE: December 31, 2012 6:20:00 AM AKST Anchorage, Alaska – The Kulluk drilling vessel is under tow by the Aiviq and tug Alert. All three vessels are currently located about 19 miles southeast

Good news, bad news for Alaska commercial fishermen in 2013 Alaska Dispatch | Dec 31, 2012 Depending on their quarry, some commercial fishermen working Alaska waters can expect a productive year in 2013, while others will face tighter limits. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has released its 2013 catch limits and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced its predictions on some major salmon runs..... http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/good-news-bad-news-alaska-commercial-fishermen-2013 New chance for public comment to FDA on genetically modified salmon Margaret Bauman | The Cordova Times | Dec 30, 2012 The countdown is on to offer public comment to the federal Food and Drug Administration on its environmental assessment conclusion that a fast-growing genetically modified salmon will likely cause no harm to the environment. The FDA planned to public a notice in the Federal Register on Dec. 26 and said it would accept comment on the agency's draft environm

uscg.mil The hits keep on coming.... Update, 6 p.m. Sunday: Once again, the Coast Guard reports that the lines connecting the Royal Dutch Shell drill unit Kulluk to its tow vessels have separated, leaving responders hoping to re-establish a connection Sunday evening. The Kulluk, which has no propulsion system of its own, had been connected to the Shell tow vessels Aiviq and Nanuq on Sunday morning, but was again at the mercy of rough seas Sunday afternoon. Numerous other vessels were on scene, including the tug boat Alert, which arrived earlier in the day. "The crew is evaluating all options for reconnecting with the Kulluk," the Coast Guard said. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation reports that the Aiviq and Nanuq actually lost their tow of the Kulluk at about 2 p.m. on...... http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/shell-drill-rig-separates-tow-vessels-again-gulf-alaska Some additional photos released from USCG.mil earlier today.   CGAS Kod

DIPAC thanks our community volunteers Posted: December 30, 2012 - 12:02am Douglas Island Pink & Chum, Inc. would like to thank the special volunteers who helped make our annual fall salmon education program a great success! A total of 1,435 students and adults, representing 55 school classes, visited the Ladd Macaulay Visitor Center from Sept. 17 to Nov. 2. We sincerely thank the following people for.... http://juneauempire.com/neighbors/2012-12-30/dipac-thanks-our-community-volunteers http://dipac.net https://plus.google.com/112600374537843606516/ It's way too early to cast aside Alaska's controversial Pebble project Chuck Becker | Dec 29, 2012 There seems to be an unfounded perception that foreign investment in Alaska’s economy is a bad thing.  As one who has participated in many facets of Alaska’s economy for most of my adult life, let’s be clear about one thing:  Every major industry in Alaska depends upon foreign companies investing in our state in order to

USCG Kicks A$$  All of this happening during a Typhoon.. Tough duty. HG. More...

Totally insane! h/t Breaking News Google+ > https://plus.google.com/108404515213153345305/posts/R1bmiYL7D7s    

Posted on December 29, 2012 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — All 18 crew members were safely evacuated Saturday from a Shell drill ship in the Gulf of Alaska and the company was towing the rig further from land in anticipation of another stormy night. The drill ship, the Kulluk, which had been drifting toward Trinity Islands, was being moved toward safe harbor by two tow vessels, Shell spokesman Curtis Smith said. Repair crews have restarted all four engines on the Aiviq, one of the tow vessels, and a second tow line was... http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-12-29/crew-of-drill-ship-in-gulf-of-alaska-to-evacuate

USCGC Alex Haley (WMEC-39) (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Date: Dec. 29, 2012 Coast Guard District 17 JUNEAU, Alaska — Coast Guard crews continue to battle 20-30 foot seas and 30-40 knot winds while providing assistance to the crews of the Kulluk and its three support vessels, Guardsman, Aiviq and Nanuq near Kodiak, Alaska Saturday. Coast Guard crews in conjunction with Royal Dutch Shell are working together to ensure safety of life at sea for all involved and prevent the disabled vessels from running aground despite the extremely challenging weather. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews from Air Station Kodiak delivered engine parts and technicians to the crew of the support vessel Aiviq, in 30 mph winds and 20-foot seas last night, so they could make repairs to the ships three damaged engines. These repairs have enabled Aiviq to hold position with Kulluk to keep both vessels from drifting closer to shoal waters near Kodiak. Additionally the Nanuq has established a towlin

Update.. Drill ship, crew moving again in Gulf of Alaska By Associated Press on December 29, 2012 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A Shell drill ship in the Gulf of Alaska is no longer drifting toward the Trinity Islands. Company officials hope it will be moving again toward safe harbor later Saturday afternoon.... http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-12-29/crew-of-drill-ship-in-gulf-of-alaska-to-evacuate Precautionary evacuation efforts are being evaluated to remove all non-essential personnel from the Kulluk. — Shell Alaska (@Shell_Alaska) December 29, 2012 Repairs are commencing aboard the Aiviq, and a second engine has been brought online. — Shell Alaska (@Shell_Alaska) December 29, 2012

Sunrise in the Gulf of Alaska (Photo credit: Scott SM ) Longliners Seek Delegation’s Support For Electronic Monitoring By Robert Woolsey, KCAW - Sitka | December 28, 2012 - 4:43 pm A major gear group is pushing back against rules set to take effect this January that will put human observers aboard some smaller fishing boats. The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association has enlisted the help of the state’s congressional delegation to try and delay implementation of the observer program for small boats, and to adopt a more efficient electronic monitoring program instead. The fisheries that take place in federal waters off of Alaska’s coast have had on-board human monitors for years. The monitors provide critical data on the number and species of fish coming over the rail, and are particularly important in counting bycatch – king salmon and halibut, for... http://www.alaskapublic.org/2012/12/28/longliners-seek-delegations-support-for-electronic-monitoring/ Central, Western Gulf t

Repairs are commencing aboard the Aiviq, and a second engine has been brought online. — Shell Alaska (@Shell_Alaska) December 29, 2012 Precautionary evacuation efforts are being evaluated to remove all non-essential personnel from the Kulluk. — Shell Alaska (@Shell_Alaska) December 29, 2012 icetech12.org Drill ship, crew remain stalled on Gulf of Alaska By Associated Press on December 29, 2012 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — High winds and waves prevented the Coast Guard from evacuating an 18-member crew of a stalled Shell drill ship in the Gulf of Alaska and another vessel was on the way Saturday to prevent the ship from drifting into the Trinity Islands, a Coast Guard spokesman said. Helicopter crews tried unsuccessfully Friday night and early Saturday morning to evacuate the crew of the Kulluk, which has no propulsion system and is dependent on other vessels to move it around, Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class David Mosley said. Winds of over 60 mph and waves of

U.S. Coast Guard HH-60 and a 47-ft Motor Life Boat (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Dec. 28, 2012 D17 External Affairs JUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced a man with multiple injuries from a beach approximately 10 miles north of Sitka Friday. The man, who reportedly had a tree fall on him while in the woods, was safely transported by the Jayhawk crew to emergency medical service personnel for transfer to Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka for additional care. The search for the injured man began after Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a brief distress from the man’s wife over the radio. Watchstanders notified Sitka Mountain Rescue and diverted the Jayhawk crew from a routine patrol to assist. Watchstanders were contacted by the crew of the good Samaritan fishing vessel Victory, who noticed a flare shot off by the man’s wife and were providing assistance. Sitka Mountain Rescue arrived on scene and prepared the

UPDATE!  Updated story: Shell drill ship and tow vessel maintain position with tug's help bit.ly/VdCuvh — Anchorage Daily News (@adndotcom) December 29, 2012 The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley attempts to attach a tow line to the tug Aiviq in 20-foot waves 50 miles south of Kodiak, Alaska, Dec. 28, 2012. Aiviq experienced multiple engine failures while towing the mobile drilling unit Kulluk, the Alex Haley crew attempted to attach a towline to help limit vessel's drift and ensure the safety of the crews of the Aiviq and the Kulluk. U.S. Coast Guard photo Posted on December 28, 2012 at 1:46 pm by Jennifer A. Dlouhy in Alaska The Coast Guard is rushing to help stranded staff aboard one of Shell’s offshore drilling units and the tugboat heaving it across western Alaska waters, amid high seas and engine failures. Shell Oil Rig Kulluk (Photo credit: anyaku2419 ) The problems befell the tugboat Aiviq as it towed the Kulluk conical drillin

ALERT: A Florida-based company is recalling its smoked salmon, sold nationwide at Walmart and Sam’s Club #Listeria foodsafetynews.com/2012/12/smoked… — Hauling Gear #Alaska (@haulinggear) December 28, 2012 Dec 27, 2012 - 10:27 AM AKST Mixed outlook for fish stocks, new regs MOLLY DISCHNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE Alaska’s fisheries are in for a mixed year in 2013, if current management expectations hold true. State forecasts and federal catch limits call for increased harvests of some species — like pollock — while other runs may fall shorter than in prior years. Pollock harvesters heard good news when the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, or NPFMC, set 2013 catch limits. The total allowable catch, or TAC, for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands pollock was set at 1.27 million metric tons, about a 4 percent increase versus the 1.22 million metric ton harvest for 2012. The Pacific cod harvest for the BSAI was set at 260,000 metric tons, a slight decrease from 2012. In th

Juneau Chamber of Commerce, December, 20, 2012

Breaking: EPA chief Lisa Jackson is stepping down after a nearly four-year tenure. wsj.com — Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) December 27, 2012 Silver Bay to open Bristol Bay plant in ’14 by Mike Mason, KDLG December 26, 2012 12:16 pm Sitka-based Silver Bay Seafoods has acquired property in Bristol Bay for a new processing operation there. The company plans to sell shares in the operation to raise the $25-million needed for construction. Beginning in 2014, Silver Bay hopes to process large portions of the Bristol Bay driftnet salmon fishery, and the Togiak sac-roe herring fishery.... http://www.kcaw.org/2012/12/26/silver-bay-to-open-bristol-bay-plant-in-14/ Planning for Kake – Petersburg Intertie has begun December 27, 2012 Planning and preliminary design work has begun for a new electrical transmission line intertie that would extend west across the Tongass National Forest, from the Petersburg area to Kake on Kupreanof Island. According to Project Manager for the Intertie, Ma