TANKER READY FOR TRAVEL, NAVAL ARCHITECT SAYS

By SALLY CARPENTER HALE
The Associated Press

PORTLAND, ORE.- An independent naval architect says the Exxon Valdez is structurally sound and should be able to make it to Portland safely, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Director Fred Hansen said Monday.

Hansen added, however, that Exxon must agree to several conditions before officials allow the crippled tanker to travel up the Columbia River to the Port of Portland for repair. He said he expected that decision in the next few days.

The Valdez is undergoing temporary repairs at Naked Island in Prince William Sound after striking a reef on March 24, causing North America's worst oil spill. The tanker lost 10.1 million gallons of oil that has fouled hundreds of miles of beaches.

Olaf Hatlen of Vancouver, British Columbia, was hired by Oregon, Washington, Alaska and British Columbia to inspect the tanker before it leaves Alaska.

Hatlen reported "the ship appears to be in good enough shape to make it to Portland," Hansen said at a news conference. ". . . Our expectation is that it could come with no environmental damage."

Before the Valdez is permitted to travel up the Columbia River, however, Exxon must agree to remove the estimated 16,000 barrels of crude oil remaining on board and to clean the tanker's hull so that "the ship will not leave any kind of sheen as it moves through the water," Hansen said.

In case the Valdez still causes an environmental problem, Exxon must provide oil containment equipment, possibly on tugboats that will escort the ship.

"They're going to have to meet that standard: no environmental damage," Hansen said.

He said a letter of credit or a bond probably would be required of Exxon to pay for any damage.

" "Trust me' is not good enough," he said. "Contingency plans need to be in place that are sufficient."

Exxon also has been asked to pay Hatlen's costs, which could be as much as $75,000.

Before the Valdez could start its journey, air must be pumped into its hull to balance the ship and relatively calm weather must be forecast, Hansen said. He said the tanker probably would be towed rather than make the trip under its own power.

The oil company may decide to take the tanker elsewhere, but Hansen said he expected Exxon would encounter similar conditions.

Hansen said he didn't anticipate any disagreement about the conditions among the various governments involved. The Port of Portland has agreed not to sign a contract with Exxon until the state gives its approval, he said.

Discussions among the three states and British Columbia center on how far from shore the Valdez should travel, Hansen said.

He said the U.S. Coast Guard would have the ultimate authority in deciding whether the ship could navigate the Columbia River, but added the Valdez would have no reason to travel on the river if permission to use the port's dry docks was denied.

Hansen said Exxon estimates temporary repairs will take another three weeks and towing the ship to Portland about 15 days.

The port announced Friday that the damaged tanker tentatively was scheduled to arrive between May 15 and June 1.

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