Exxon_valdez_oil_spill Essay, Research Paper
The Exxon Valdez oil tanker left the Trans Alaska Pipeline terminal at 9:12 PM March 23, 1989. The Exxon Valdez was the companies second newest tanker, it was 987 feet long and was carrying 53,094,510 gallons of crude oil. It’s destination, Long Beach California.
William Murphy, an expert ship’s pilot had been hired to steer the ship through the Valdez Narrows. Joe Hazelwood, the captain, and helmsman Harry Claar were also in the wheel house. Claar was steering. After successfully guiding the ship through the Valdez Narrows, Murphy left the vessel and Captain Hazelwood took over the wheel house. There were icebergs in the shipping lanes, so Captain Hazelwood ordered Claar to steer the Exxon Valdez out of the shipping lanes to go around the icebergs. He then handed over control of the wheel house to the third mate, Gregory Cousins, with specific instructions to return the ship back into the shipping lanes when the tanker reached a certain point. Claar was then replaced by Helmsman Robert Kagan. Cousins and Kagan failed to make the turn back into the shipping lanes at the point the captain had indicated. The mistake was noticed too late and at 12:04 AM the ship ran aground on Bligh Reef.
This accident can be attributed almost wholly to human error. The Valdez Narrows had been being used for 12 years and there had been more than 12,000 successful trips through the narrows. The crew of the Exxon Valdez had gotten slothful. Third Mate Cousins was suppose to have been relieved as he had been on duty for 6 hours and awake for the past 18 hours, but instead of waking the Second Mate for the midnight-4 shift he continued on duty himself. Cousins was also the only officer on the bridge which was against company rules. The Captain had been seen at a bar during the day and admitted to having some alcoholic drinks, but he has always claimed he was not drunk, even though traces of alcohol was found in his blood several hours after the accident.
The result of their carelessness was what has been called the worst oil spill ever in regards to damage to the environment. when the Exxon Valdez hit the reef, eight cargo tanks and two ballast tanks ruptured spilling 10.8 million gallons of crude oil into the sea. In comparison 10.8 million gallons is enough to fill 125 olimpic-sized swimming pools. The Exxon Valdez is the largest and most damaging oil spill in the United States. Over 1300 miles of shoreline was impacted and even today some of those solitary beaches remain oiled. From Blight reef where the Exxon Valdez ran aground, the oil spill stretched 470 miles (see maps). Wildlife in the area was dramatically reduced and most wildlife populations in the area have not recovered even today. It is estimated that 250,000 seabirds, 2,800 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, 22 killer whales, and billions of salmon and herring eggs were killed. These are just some of the 23 species that were injured by the spill.
The cleanup effort, at its peak time, included approximately 10,000 workers, around 1,000 boats and about 100 airplanes and helicopters. Hundreds of people lined up along the beaches and sprayed the oil into the sea. During the first months they used scalding hot water, as it worked better to move the oil. It was discovered that the hot water was killing all of the small life on the beach and was doing more harm than good. Cold water was used thereafter. Once the oil was back in the sea it would be collected in several layers of booms using boats and barges. It was then either sucked up, scooped out, or sopped up using special oil-absorbing materiel. Many beaches were sprinkled with a special type of bacteria that eat the hydrocarbons found in oil. This method was successful on those beaches with lesser amounts of oil. Some chemicals and solvents were used also, but mainly for the birds and other wildlife. Hundreds of thousands of birds, mammals, and fish died as a result of the Exxon Valdez spill. Oil would get in fur and feathers, destroying the insulation and allowing for water to soak in. Once a birds feathers were soaked with oil and water, it could not fly because of the added weight. The birds would then either clean their feathers, dying from the poison oil they ate, or die in the water either from hypothermia or starvation. Not all of the damage was apparent. Eating small amounts of oil would affect animals in such ways as damaging the liver or causing blindness. This mades the handicapped creature incapable of competing for its own food. Oil also affects animals in non-deadly ways such as damaging reproduction. A professional crew and scores of volunteers set up a cleaning facility and recovery facility for sickly animals. Dawn dishwashing detergent was the main cleaning agent for the animals.
Другие работы по теме:
ExxonMobil
План Введение 1 История 2 Акционеры и руководство 3 Деятельность 3.1 Показатели деятельности 3.2 ExxonMobil в России 4 Крушение танкера «Exxon Valdez»
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
Theater Essay Research Paper Villa Vendidos y
Theater Essay, Research Paper Villa, Vendidos, y Vatos Actos are reflections of a Chican@ s experience. Just like most Chican@s are different from each other, but at the core share the same value system, so it is with actos. Huerta uncovers the meaning of three actos, The Shrunken Head of Pancho Villa, Los vendidos, La victima, that share the theme of Chican@ identity in the late twentieth century.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Untitled Essay Research Paper In today
Untitled Essay, Research Paper In today’s modernized world, there seem to be several luxuries that we can not live without. In a large metropolitan area such as Los Angeles, cars and the gas that fuels the cars are a must. So what would happen when the number one and number two oil companies in the United States decided to merge together?The deal itself would be worth 75.3 billion dollars, making the new Exxon Mobil one of only two major fuel providers along with Royal Dutch/Shell until the merger between British Petroleum and Amoco Corp. is approved.
Common Themes In Allen Ginsburg
’s Poetry Essay, Research Paper Since his first major poem, Howl, Allen Ginsberg has been a center of controversy. His poems talked about homosexuality before it was considered
Anwr Oil Drilling Essay Research Paper Destruction
Anwr Oil Drilling Essay, Research Paper Destruction of the Environment or Over-Zealous Conservation? Introduction: With the 2000 Presidential election looming and both candidates in a near deadlock, Al Gore and George W. Bush have been forced to take stands on some very tough issues that affect the lives of everyday Americans.
Shane Essay Research Paper Sometimes I need
Shane Essay, Research Paper Sometimes, I need you more than I need air And sometimes I miss you more than I will forever, never forget the times that we have shaared. The are priceless
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Him Essay Research Paper I think about
Him Essay, Research Paper I think about him day and night The though won’t go away And, oh, how I would hold him tight every second of the day He is perfect, that is true, not an average me or you
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
The Purposes Of Luis Valdez S Essay
, Research Paper The Purposes of Luis Valdez s Plays There are several purposes to the actos; one-act plays written by Luis Valdez such as the play Los Vendidos. The main purpose of Luis Valdez s plays is to educate farmers and the general public. Valdez s plays were a means to get migrants to organize into a viable farm workers’ union.
The EPA Can It Will It Save
Our Environment? Essay, Research Paper The EPA: Can It, Will It Save Our Environment? Pollution of our environment is an issue that concerns each and every one
Exxon Valdez Disaster Essay Research Paper Ten
Exxon Valdez Disaster Essay, Research Paper Ten Years after Exxon Valdez disaster CHENEGA BAY, Alaska The scientific debate continues over the environmental consequences of what happened just after midnight on Good Friday, March 24, 1989, when the grounded vessel leaked nearly 11 million gallons of North Slope crude.
Cleaning Up After The Exxon Valdez Was
A Mistake Essay, Research Paper Cleaning Up after the Exxon Valdez Was A Mistake Through many hours of research I have determined that the spill cleaning techniques used to clean the Prince William Sound area of Alaska did more harm than leaving the oil where it was. The Alaskan oil spill has become the most studied and managed event of its kind.
Exxon Valdez Essay Research Paper The Exxon
Exxon Valdez Essay, Research Paper The Exxon Valdez is an American oil tanker that went aground on a reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, on the night of March 24, 1989. The nine hundred and eighty seven-foot tanker ran aground on a reef and started to leak oil. The leakage continued for two days, totaling eleven million gallons the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Exxon Valdez 10 Years Later Essay Research
Paper When people hear the phrase “oil spill: they think a bunch of black stuff all in the water. Well there is a lot more to it then just that. It is an economical disaster as well as an environmental one. As you read along you will see how devastating this one oil spill, the Exxon Valdez, really was compared to others.
Cause 2
Cause & Effect:Water Pollution Essay, Research Paper Cause and Effect: Water Pollution Water pollution progresses every day in our lakes, oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water that we see and use in many ways. Water is essential for all living things to survive, yet people still pollute it. It s pretty sad to be taking a trip to the beach with your family and you get there to see a sign that says the beach is closed.
Water Pollution Essay Research Paper Water pollution
Water Pollution Essay, Research Paper Water pollution needs to be stopped. Pollution of lakes rivers, streams, and oceans has been killing land and water animals for years. Polluting water is a horrible act and will be stopped.
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
An Overview Of The Exxon Valdez Oil
Spill Essay, Research Paper ABSTRACT In March of 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. An eighteen foot wide hole was ripped into the hull, and 10.9 million gallons of crude oil spilled into the ocean. In the following weeks, many things transpired. This paper will discuss the cleanup, the damage, and the results of the biggest oil spill in United States history.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
– An Environmental Disaster? Essay, Research Paper The Exxon Valdez Oil SpillAn Environmental Disaster?Presentation byDr. Ed Gilfilan Dr. Gilfilan?s presentation was about the studies that he did after the spill of theExxon Valdez. The Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef and spilled 11,000,000 gallons ofoil into the Prince William Sound in Alaska.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Essay Research Paper
On March 24, 1989 one of the biggest oil spills in U.S. history occurred. This spill wasso great, it took over two years to clean up. To this day, Prince William Sound is stillsuffering from the grounding of the Exxon Valdez. “On a windless Spring night in 1989, the two worlds of nature and industry collided”(Carr pg. 0).
ALASKAN OIL SPILL Essay Research Paper Mike
ALASKAN OIL SPILL Essay, Research Paper Mike Prochaska Oil Spills The Issue Oil Spills are large-scale accidental discharges of liquid petroleum products which cause pollution along shorelines. The most spectacular involved the supertankers used for oil transport, but many other ship also spill oil, and offshore drilling operations contribute a large share of the pollution.Of every million tons of oil shiped, one ton is spilled.
Oil Spills Essay Research Paper Oil Spills
Oil Spills Essay, Research Paper Oil Spills: It will happen again Imagine that you are a just a small, ordinary seabird. It is March 24, 1987 and far away from you is an enormous tanker called the Exxon Valdez, coming at an astonishing speed. You do not worry, for these huge ships come along very occasionally in the Alaskan waters.
Dare Essay Essay Research Paper What DARE
Dare Essay Essay, Research Paper What D.A.R.E Means To Me Dare has prepared me to say no to drugs in eight different ways. If anyone asks me to do drugs I will know what to do, such as- just ignoring the person or just
Oil Spills Essay Research Paper Oil is
Oil Spills Essay, Research Paper Oil is a product used by everyone, but sometimes oil is a problem. An oil spill is a leakage from an oceangoing tanker, pipelines, or other oil sources. Oil spills occur very