Key ice-handling vessel for Shell's Arctic drilling program damaged, returns to port
MSV Fennica
In another hurdle for Royal Dutch Shells Arctic drilling program, an ice-handling vessel playing a key role in the operation has returned to Dutch Harbor after a gash was discovered in its hull.
The Fennica , a 380-foot Finnish vessel, was damaged Friday as it headed for the drilling grounds in the Chukchi Sea off the northwest Alaska coast, with a state-certified marine harbor pilot on board handling the vessel. The vessel is one of 29 that Shell plans to send to the area this summer.
In addition to duties that include scouting for wayward chunks of sea ice and preventing them from threatening other vessels, one of the Fennica s tasks is deploying the capping stack designed to stop an oil spill.
Its critical role in the program raises questions about whether Shell will need to adjust its drilling plans, and face a delay as it attempts to resume the drilling that has been put off for three years after the grounding of the drilling rig Kulluk on an island near Kodiak Island.
Shell said in a statement that the Fennica s crew was alerted to a leak in the ballast tank on Friday shortly after leaving Dutch Harbor. After inspection, a small breach in the hull was found. The cause is unknown.
Full article: http://www.adn.com/article/20150707/key-ice-handling-vessel-shells-arctic-drilling-program-damaged-returns-port
Additional Reading: Coast Guard Blames Shell Risk-Taking in Kulluk Rig Accident
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What does this mean long term?
Not really sure Perrie. It's just one more problem in a long list of failures for Royal Dutch Shell in the last 3 years in the Chukchi Sea.
I am unfamiliar with the issues, Larry. What have they been?
The additional reading link shows Shells arrogance and complete disregard for safety.
I wrote this one in 2012:
This one in 2014:
Dear Friend Larry Crehore: Arrogance and a complete disregard for safety do not a well managed corporation make.
Please keep us posted.
E.
I will be happy to post the information as I find it. Thanks for reading the article your opinion is always welcome my friend.
RDS does not have a good track record with regards to safety and environmental protection. They are in many ways worse than BP.
Greed works in obvious ways........
A continuing string of failures on the part of Royal Dutch. A look at the future of the next great oil spill.
Excellent article Larry.
Can you imagine the damage a Deep Water Horizon type failure in the Chukchi Sea would cause they would never be able to clean up the mess.
It will happen Larry.... we both know that.