Feb. 9, 2005, 1:52 p.m. AST - Unified Command Press Release

DATE: February 15, 2005 10:29:04 AM AKST

Feb. 9, 2005, 1:52 p.m. AST - Unified Command Press Release - Selendang Ayu Update

Motor Vessel Selendang Ayu Unified Command

Unified Command Joint Information Center

Feb. 9, 2005

Contact: Joint Information Center
(907) 581-7158

Coast Guard information officer: (907) 581-7158
State of Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation information officer:

(907) 321-5491

Responsible party's information officer: (845) 629-0359

Unified Command Press Release

JUNEAU, Alaska - The Unified Command has announced that, effective today, the Winter Operational Plan is in effect. This plan outlines actions to be taken during the operational period from today until mid-April 2005 and briefly refers to an increased operational effort that will begin in the Spring based on longer daylight hours and improved weather conditions.

The Unified Command recognizes the response efforts have achieved the following three significant accomplishments

The segments identified for gross oil removal were prioritized and progress to date indicates approximately 70 percent completion, which reduces the potential for the oil to re-mobilize.

Successful completion of the opilio crab fishery with no tainted product and the determination to continue water quality sampling and the enhanced seafood inspections through the winter commercial fisheries openings.

To date the total amount of recovered liquids from the stern section of the wreck by the SMIT lightering crew is 144,931 gallons and is very near completion.

The determination to implement the Winter Operations Plan, approved January 3, is based on the accomplishments listed above and the factors listed below:

The multi-agency Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Team (SCAT) has completed a systematic shoreline survey that documents the distribution and extent of oiling for the purposes of identifying gross oil removal priorities.
The number of days estimated for completion of the last 30 percent of gross oil removal in the remaining segments is 15 days.
Weather conditions typical of February, frequent frontal passages with short windows of calm between fronts, are not conducive to conducting operations safely and efficiently.
The remote operated vehicle found substantial damage to the bow and stern sections, indicating a reduced threat of new oiling from the vessel once lightering is complete.

The Unified Command has developed a plan for Spring/Summer operations to commence mid-April, with the SCAT team scheduled to arrive April 4 to conduct training, re-prioritize remaining oiled areas and formulate suggestions on where and how to clean the remaining oil. The planning and preparations for the Spring/Summer cleanup operations, which began in January, will not halt for the winter but will continue with renewed energy and effort through the remaining winter period. This effort will culminate with the resumption of the cleanup operations in mid-April.

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