Coast Guard issues PWS navigation safety advisory

A boat leaves the harbor and travels down Orca Inlet on Friday, June 1, 2018. (Photo by Emily Mesner/The Cordova Times)

U.S. Coast Guard officials have issued a navigational safety advisory to all mariners to follow regulations to avoid collisions between tank vessels and fishing vessels in Port Valdez and Prince William Sound.

Coast Guard officials noted that the advisory outlining risk mitigation measures was produced because of an increase in the number of near-miss collisions, which could lead to personal injury, damage to equipment and harm to the environment. 

This situation could be aggravated by the increased vessel traffic due to the current transition taking place in companies providing escort towing for the Trans Alaska Pipeline System tankers, the Coast Guard said. The changeover requires training of vessels and crew, with exercises in and around the Port of Valdez and Prince William Sound.

Vessel operators were reminded to maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing at all times, and for vessels less than 65 feet, and those engaged in fishing to avoid impeding passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway, per Rule 9 of the International Navigation Rules.

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