Captain’s Waypoint

Snow time

... EXXON VALDEZ...1986-2012..

Oil Spill | Prince William Sound, Alaska | March 1989
What Happened?
On March 24, 1989 the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling 11 million gallons of oil. The ecologically sensitive location, season of the year, and large scale of this spill resulted in one of the largest environmental disasters in U.S. history.

Exxon settled in 1991 with funds disbursed in three discrete parts: criminal plea agreement ($25 million), criminal restitution ($100 million), and civil settlement ($900 million).

What Were the Impacts?
The spill affected more than 1,300 miles of shoreline, with immense impacts for fish and wildlife and their habitats, as well as for local industries and communities.

The oil killed:

An estimated 250,000 seabirds
2,800 sea otters
300 harbor seals
250 bald eagles
As many as 22 killer whales
Billions of salmon and herring eggs
More than 25 years since the spill, the following species remain in a “Not Recovering” or “Unknown” status:

Killer whales (family group known as pod AT1)
Kittlitz’s murrelets
Marbled murrelets
Pigeon guillemots
What’s Happening Now?
Settlement funds have been used to fund multiple restoration and protection projects throughout Prince William Sound, the Gulf of Alaska, and for habitats outside of the state that are important for migratory species. More than 600,000 acres of land have been protected using settlement funds and matching funds from numerous restoration, research, and monitoring programs.

Current restoration activities are focused on:

Long-term herring research and monitoring
Long-term monitoring of marine conditions and injured resources
Shorter-term harbor protection and restoration projects
Lingering oil
Habitat protection
Long-term monitoring of marine conditions and restoration effectiveness is ongoing.

Ultimately, the Exxon Valdez spill resulted in a close examination of the status of oil spill prevention, response, and cleanup in the United States. One result was the passage of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which led to the establishment of NOAA’s DARRP program.

After the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, the U.S. and international regulators introduced major legal and operational changes to prevent and respond to future spills. The most important regulations include:

⸻

1. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) – United States

This was the most significant U.S. law passed directly because of the spill. Key provisions:

Double-Hull Requirement
• Mandated that all new oil tankers operating in U.S. waters must have double hulls.
• Required the phase-out of single-hull tankers by 2015.

Liability & Compensation
• Increased liability for spill cleanup and damages.
• Removed liability caps for gross negligence or regulatory violations.
• Created the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (up to $1 billion per incident).

Prevention & Response Planning
• Required vessel and facility operators to develop approved spill response plans.
• Strengthened federal, state, and local coordination for spill response.
• Required pre-positioned federal response teams and equipment.

Enhanced Pilotage & Navigation Safety
• Stricter navigation rules in environmentally sensitive areas, such as Prince William Sound.
• Required es**rt tugs for certain tanker operations.

⸻

2. Port and Tanker Safety Act Amendments

Following OPA 90, the U.S. updated tanker safety regulations, including:
• Improved vessel traffic systems (VTS).
• Better communication and radar systems.
• More stringent crew training and fatigue management standards.

⸻

3. International Maritime Organization (IMO) Regulations

The spill pushed global changes through the IMO, especially in MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships):

Double-Hull Requirements (MARPOL Amendments)
• In 1992, MARPOL Annex I was amended to require new tankers to be double-hulled.
• Accelerated global phase-out of single-hull tankers (completed by 2010–2015 depending on vessel type).

Increased Operational Standards
• Enhanced oil discharge monitoring and control equipment.
• Strengthened crew training standards (STCW Convention updates).
• Improved port-state control inspections.

⸻

4. Alaska-Specific Regulations

Because the Exxon Valdez spill occurred in Prince William Sound, several regional measures were enacted:

Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council (RCAC)
• Created under OPA 90.
• Provides citizen oversight of oil transportation and terminal operations.

Mandatory Es**rt Tugs
• Loaded tankers must be es**rted by two tugs in Prince William Sound.

⸻

5. Industry Best Practices Inspired by the Incident

Even without new laws, industry adopted:
• Better safety culture and human-factor training.
• More advanced navigation systems (GPS, ECDIS).
• Stricter alcohol and drug use policies.
• Higher standards for vessel maintenance

“Copied from internet”

✅ quick points to be checked when taking over a navigation watch..

The OOW must ensure they fully understand the ship’s situation and any ongoing operations so the watch remains safe and efficient.

1. Ship’s Position – Speed – Course

The OOW must know the ship’s exact position, including how it was obtained (GPS, radar fix, visual bearings).
Also check:
• Current course steered
• Speed through the water or over ground
This ensures continuity of safe navigation and early detection of any deviation or set and drift.

2. Traffic Density

Assess the number of vessels in the vicinity:
• Ships crossing your course
• Overtaking or being overtaken
• Fishing vessels, tugs, small crafts, ferries
In high traffic areas, situational awareness must be heightened. COLREGs must be applied early and properly.

3. Weather Conditions & Night Vision

Review the prevailing and forecasted weather:
• Wind direction and force
• Visibility (fog, rain squalls, haze)
• Sea state and swell
At night, maintain proper dimming on bridge lights to protect night vision and ensure clear lookout.

4. Bridge Equipment & Dimmers

Ensure all navigational equipment is working correctly:
• Radar
• ECDIS
• AIS
• Gyro & magnetic compass
• VHF
Also adjust dimmers on bridge consoles for clear visibility and to avoid glare, especially at night.
Any malfunctioning bridge equipment

5. Check Logbook for All Entries

Before assuming the watch, the OOW must check:
• Previous course alterations
• Captain’s night orders
• Weather changes
• Any navigational warnings or remarks
This allows continuity and ensures the OOW is updated with all important events of the previous watch.

6. Readiness of the Look-out / Helmsman

Verify that:
• A proper look-out is posted
• Helmsman is ready (if manual steering is required)
• Both are briefed on the ship’s situation
This ensures compliance with STCW and helps maintain a proper continuous watch.

7. Miscellaneous Activities on Deck or Engine Room

Be aware of any ongoing operations, such as:
• Deck maintenance
• Engine room work
• Mooring preparations if any
• Cargo operations continuation if any
These activities may affect maneuverability, noise levels, communication, or safety.

8. Inform the Master if Required

The OOW must always know when to call the Master.
Call the Master for:
• Restricted visibility
• Traffic situation that is unclear
• Malfunction of navigational equipment
• Doubt about the ship’s position
• Heavy weather approaching
• Any danger to ship, crew, or navigation
Calling the Master early is always safer than too late.

9. Check alcohol levels test in front of the relieving officer

10. Fully comply with master’s standing orders and company SMS as required.

Way point- 2 — COLREG Rule

🧭 Overtaking is always a give-way situation.
Explained: If you approach another vessel from more than 22.5° abaft her beam (i.e., you see mainly her stern light), COLREG defines you as the overtaking vessel and requires you to keep clear. That means you must plan your pass well in advance, signal intentions clearly, and avoid sudden maneuvers that could confuse the stand-on vessel. Treat overtakes conservatively — better to lose time than create risk.

Way point 1— Ship Handling

⚓ A ship moves where the bow points, but she pivots from somewhere else.
Explained: The vessel’s pivot point is the spot around which the hull rotates during turns; at low speeds it sits near the stern, at higher speeds it shifts forward. Knowing where the pivot is lets you use rudder and thrusters more efficiently — small, early inputs at the right side of the ship produce much smoother, safer maneuvers than large late corrections. Practice anticipating where your pivot will be for different speeds and loading conditions.

Ahoy Everyone, and Welcome Aboard!

I am a captain with experience of commanding vessels across the world’s oceans. After a lifetime at sea — facing storms, navigating challenges, mentoring crews, and learning lessons only the ocean can teach — I felt it was time to share that knowledge with those who are passionate about the maritime world.

This page is created to:

🔹 Share practical maritime knowledge
🔹 Guide young officers, cadets, and anyone dreaming of a life at sea
🔹 Pass down hard-earned lessons from real experience
🔹 Discuss navigation, seamanship, safety, and leadership at sea
🔹 Tell true stories from years on the bridge

Whether you are a mariner, a student, or simply someone fascinated by ships and the ocean, you are welcome here. Together, let’s learn, grow, and keep the spirit of seamanship alive.

Fair winds and following seas — let the journey begin.