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            As of early this morning the grounded Shell Exploration drilling rig Kulluk is reported as remaining stable with no oil spill pollution observed. That word from the Unified Command office at 6:50 this morning. It echoes the latest situation reports from the Command, made up of industry, state, federal and local agencies. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s situation report concurs.
            The floating, mobile drill rig Kulluk is called a “conical drilling unit,” or CDU. It was being towed from Unalaska back to Seattle when its tug experienced engine problems southwest of Kodiak on Friday. The Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley and two other private ships responded to assist, but after a series of tow lines snapped, the Kulluk went aground Monday night on Sitkalidak Island, just off the southeast quarter of Kodiak Island. The exact location is between the north end of Ocean Bay and Partition Cove. (Lat 57⁰ 5' 28.099N, Long 153⁰ 6' 23.546W)
            Commander Shane Montoya, the federal on-scene coordinator, said during a briefing Tuesday the tow ships tried to direct the Kulluk to a position that might minimize the impact to the environment and damage to the rig.
            The Kulluk carries 136,240-gallons of diesel fuel and over 10,000 gallons of various lubes and oils. Shell’s Susan Childs says the Kulluk’s fuel tanks are encased in very heavy steel and located at the center of the rig.
            The DEC’s Allen Wein says crews are ready to respond if any fuel is spilled.
            Oil spill response equipment was staged on the Kodiak waterfront yesterday. Crews are waiting for favorable weather conditions to fly salvage personnel out to the Kulluk. There is a gale warning in the marine weather forecast through tonight, with seas to 15 feet.
            Childs says it may take weeks or months to determine the sequence of mishaps that led to the grounding.
            The area of the grounding is in critical habitat for endangered sea lions and the Kittlitz's Murrelet, and near a number of salmon streams.

Waves crash over the mobile offshore drilling unit Kulluk where it sits aground on the southeast side of Sitkalidak Island, Alaska, Jan. 1, 2013. A Unified Command, consisting of the Coast Guard, federal, state, local and tribal partners and industry representatives was established in response to the grounding. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg

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The Royal Dutch Shell floating drill rig Kulluk went aground on Sitkalidik Island around 9 p.m. Monday (Dec. 31) night. The crew had previously been evacuated and brought to Kodiak by Coast Guard helicopters. Severe weather continues to hamper the towing, and now recovery, of the Kulluk.

The latest updates from the unified command put together to address the situation here.

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           Last night the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly unanimously voted in favor of a short term solution to the bio solids issue. During the special meeting in the borough conference room last night the assembly heard from Borough Environmental Director Mike Patterson about the proposed plan for composting city sewage sludge at the landfill. 
           Patterson said the sludge will be turned into Class B compost and stored in an area already being worked in the landfill.  
            During the public comment period a handful of Monashka Bay residents asked about long term health risks associated with the plan, especially as it pertains to contaminated water reaching residential wells. Assemblywoman Carol Austerman reiterated the fact that the proposed composting method is far better than the raw sludge that had been put in the landfill for years.     
            Assemblyman Mel Stephens agreed with Austerman’s comment and reminded assembly members and the public that the ordinance before them is a temporary solution and long term action has yet to be decided. He added that he doesn’t like to call the new bio solid material compost, because to him that’s not what it is.

            Composting will take place at the landfill until August 15 at the latest. In the meantime the borough and city will continue to work together to find a long term solution. 

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            Problems continue for Shell Oil’s mobile drilling rigs in Alaska waters. The tug towing the Kulluk, which left Dutch Harbor last Friday, is having engine trouble in 20-foot seas about 50 miles south of Kodiak Island.
            Coast Guard spokesman David Mosley in Anchorage says the tug Aiviq began experiencing engine problems late last night, but has enough power to maintain its position. Mosley said the vessels were 48-hours from any landfall, had they gone adrift.
            The Kodiak-based cutter Alex Haley arrived on scene early this morning and is standing by to assist if the situation deteriorates.
            Two tugs, the Guardsman and the Nanuk, are on their way from Seward, and should arrive early this afternoon.
            Engine troubles haven’t been the only issue on this voyage. Earlier Thursday the tow line between the Aiviq and Kulluk snapped in rough seas, but Mosley says the crew was able to re-establish the tow.
            The other drill rig Shell leased this year has also had problems this summer. On its way to Seattle, the Noble Discoverer was held by the Coast Guard in Seward until last week because of safety and pollution control issues. The hold was released on December 19th, but the rig is still in Seward as of Thursday.