Interior secretary Ken Salazar says that “we don’t know what went” wrong, and that we need a high level review, in reference to the Kullik incident.

I submit that what is needed is a “low level review.” Ask any fisherman, tugboat captain or other mariners who ply Alaska waters in the winter and they’ll tell you why things went awry. The towboat losing all engines at once? This isn’t rocket science. Brand new vessel probably never had its decks awash before and an unfinished fuel-vent or inspection hatch let water into the fuel. No back-up tow vessel while tow was near shore. Gulf of Alaska — winter. There you have it, folks! A low-level review, and it’s free.

— Billy Choate

Homer