“I reviewed all of the appropriate and accessible information and determined that Shell has met the requirements of the Captain of the Port Order,” told the commander CG Sector Anchorage and Captain of the Port, Western Alaska, Capt. Paul Mehler III. “We are going to monitor the movement operation of the Kulluk to Dutch Harbor and we are also going to engage if needed.”
Capt. Paul Mehler signed the order directing the Kulluk to stay at anchor in Kiliuda Bay on the 7th of January, 2013 after a determination was made that the ship posed a potential threat to staff safety and the environment after it ran aground near Sitkalidak Island and was refloated.
In preparation operation for lifting the Captain of the Port order, written notification was secured from the ship’s Flag State and/or Class Society that the Kulluk was safe to proceed to its port of destination, and Coast Guard crew members were secured an opportunity to review the final written tow plan for Kulluk’s departure from Kiliuda Bay.