![](slaska83.jpg) A bald eagle resting on the ice floe |
We saw quite a few eagles, but normally did not get very close to them. |
![](slaska82.jpg) The eagle has flown |
I told you he would fly away!! |
![](slaska84.jpg) The new rig being tested |
You probably recall the bad oil spill that happened in this area back in
1989. Since that time, this new ship was designed to move into a spill
area and clean it up. It has a floating ring that surrounds the oil
spill, and then the oil is pumped aboard the ship (thru floating sumps),
the oil separated and the water returned to the sea. As we came back from
our tour, we got to see it in action on a practice run. |
![](slaska85.jpg) A monument to the people who built the Trans Alaska pipeline |
I wanted to see the terminal where the oil is pumped aboard the tankers,
but this seemed the appropriate place to start.
Some history of the pipeline:
Discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay announced - 1968
First pipe laid - March 27, 1975 at the Tonsina River
Final weld - May 31, 1977 (near Pump Station 3)
First oil flowed - June 20, 1977 |