Alaska escort contract resurrects debate over winch safety

摘要

The renewal of the contract for tugboats and recovery barges in the escort and oil-recovery program in Alaska's Prince William Sound is seen a: a chance to bring in the best available technology for towing winches, a concern of a local citizens group. Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the tugs and barges that make up the Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS), according to Mark Swanson, executive director of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council. He said the RFP is for 11 escort and response tugs and nine oil recovery barges. The deadline for proposals was May, according to Kate Dugan, spokeswoman for Alyeska.