Twenty Years after Valdez Maritime Accident Exxon Continues to Hire Single Hull Tankers
Twenty years after the Exxon Valdez maritime accident which resulted in the worst maritime environmental disaster in U.S. history, the company continues to use single hull ships. After nearly 80% of super tankers in the world have been replaced by double hull tankers, Exxon continues to use unsafe, single hull ships.
On March 24th, 1989, the Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of oil into the Prince William Sound in Alaska. The tanker, which was on its way from Valdez to Los Angeles, California, ran aground, rupturing its hull and, ultimately, dumping oil into the ocean. It remains one of the most devastating environmental disasters in the world, with the oil slick reaching out to cover 11,000 square miles of the ocean. The short term effects of the spill were extensive; hundreds of thousands of animals and birds were killed instantly, including:
- seabirds
- otters
- harbor seals
- orca whales
- fish eggs
Since then, the maritime wildlife in the area has continued to suffer from the long term effects of the oil spill including:
- stunted growth
- increased deaths rates
Maritime experts believe that we have yet to see the end of the Valdez impact. In a lawsuit filed against the company, it was revealed that the ship's captain had been drinking alcohol earlier that evening and left the bridge unmanned during the accident.
Ship design experts believe that if the Exxon Valdez had a double hull instead of a single hull the devastating impact of the spill could have been lesser. Double hull tankers come with a one inch thick exterior layer of steel that can absorb impact in the event of a maritime accident; the inner layer of steel is thus unharmed and can contain oil that otherwise would leak out. Single hull tankers, on the other hand, come with a single layer of steel, when this layer is damaged there is nothing to stop oil from spilling into the ocean.
Across the world, 115 countries have promised to ban single hull ships by 2015. In the U.S., single hull tankers are required to unload at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port or other designated unloading points until 2015 comes around. Even as the world moves to avoid another massive and environmentally destructive maritime accident like the Valdez spill, Exxon continues to use single hull tankers. In 2008 alone, Exxon Mobil Corp. hired more older, single hull tankers than the other top ten oil companies combined. The company insists that the cost of hiring double hull tankers is not the reason for its failure to bring them into operation. Double hull tankers can cost up to 20% more to hire than single hull ships.
The Valdez disaster resulted in no injuries to workers aboard the vessel during the accident. However, the workers hired to take part in the clean up process suffered long term damage. These people ended up with oil accumulation in their lungs and blood. They suffered headaches and nausea, and some continue to suffer nose bleeds, lung problems, and several other mysterious illnesses that surfaced when they finished work on the clean up. Dozens of workers filed injury lawsuits. It is estimated that there could be thousands of workers who were injured by exposure to the toxic chemicals used to clean up the oil slick. Because Exxon did not allow government investigators to access medical records, those numbers may never be confirmed.
Maritime Injury Attorneys
Large oil companies have the ability to quickly cover up their negligence and avoid having to pay out damages in a maritime accident claim. These companies have access to teams of high dollar attorneys, therefore, it is important for you to be represented by an expert maritime attorney when you proceed to file claims against a company like Exxon. Even if you do not intend to file a claim, it is important to discuss your case with a maritime lawyer to evaluate all your options.
If you've been injured in a maritime accident, contact a maritime injury attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP to discuss your case.
