Shell oil-drilling ship under tow again

The conical drilling unit Kulluk, grounded between the north end of Ocean Bay and Partition Cove on Alaska's Sitkalidak Island, Jan. 4, 2013. / USCG

ANCHORAGE, Alaska A Shell oil-drilling ship that ran aground near a remote Alaska island is under tow again.

The Unified Command for the operation in Anchorage says the Kulluk is being towed at about 5 mph to shelter in Kodiak Island's Kiliuda Bay.

Officials won't estimate its arrival because of weather conditions early Monday — winds of about 18 mph and 15-foot ocean swells.

There's a salvage crew of 10 people on board and one Royal Dutch Shell representative.

The Kulluk was refloated late Sunday from rocks.

The oil drilling vessel, which has no engines of its own, was being towed for maintenance when it ran aground during a powerful storm on New Year's Eve.

• Shell oil drilling ship Kulluk refloated near Alaska
• Salvors ready Shell drill ship for tow attempt
• Shell drilling ship Kulluk grounded on Alaska island

The Kulluk is a circular barge 266 feet in diameter with a funnel-shaped, reinforced steel hull that enables it to operate in ice. One of two Shell ships that drilled last year in the Arctic Ocean, it has a 160-foot derrick rising from its center and no propulsion system of its own.

Shell has reported superficial damage above the deck and seawater within that entered through open hatches. Water has knocked out regular and emergency generators, but portable generators were put on board late last week.

Officials said that, so far, there's no sign the hull of the Kulluk has been breached or that oil has spilled from the vessel. It is carrying more than 140,000 gallons of diesel and about 12,000 gallons of lube oil and hydraulic fluid.

[alimech42]

One more reason that Shell Oil does NOT belong in the Arctic...or anywhere near it!

[frogdreaming]

Actually it is a good example of how properly designed technology can operate in sensitive environments. If all the hazards are recognized and each one properly mitigated, no damage needs to occur.
Instead of focusing on the accident, a broken tow line in heavy weather, (common throughout the world, not just the Arctic), focus on the result, zero environmental impact and a successful recovery due to the hull design of the vessel and the capabilities of the recovery team.