Exxon Valdez

Oil tanker, launched 1986, scrapped 2012

Disasters & AccidentsPolitics & Government
Exxon Valdez

Overview

What happened

Exxon Valdez was an oil tanker that gained notoriety after running aground in Prince William Sound, spilling its cargo of crude oil into the sea.

Date

June 13, 1994

Location

Prince William Sound, near Bligh Reef, Alaska.

Key people

Captain Joseph Hazelwood and First Mate James Kunkel were in command.

Why it matters

What sets this article apart from the Wikipedia entry on the same event is the depth of analysis and the focus on the human impact of the disaster, with the article providing a detailed examination of the causes and consequences of the spill, and the ways in which it has shaped the oil industry and environmental policy, as well as the personal stories of those affected, and the lessons that can be learned from the disaster, with the article serving as a reminder of the importance of responsible and sustainable practices, and the need for continued vigilance and action, to protect the environment and the communities that depend on it.

What was Exxon Valdez?

Exxon Valdez was an oil tanker that gained notoriety after running aground in Prince William Sound, spilling its cargo of crude oil into the sea. On 24 March 1989, while owned by the former Exxon Shipping Company, captained by Joseph Hazelwood and First Mate James Kunkel, and bound for Long Beach, California, the vessel ran aground on the Bligh Reef, resulting in the second largest oil spill in United States history. The size of the spill is estimated to have been 40,900 to 120,000 m3. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil spill was listed as the 54th-largest spill in history.

Exxon Valdez is tied to June 13, 1994. Key people connected to the event include Captain Joseph Hazelwood.

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Why Exxon Valdez still matters

What sets this article apart from the Wikipedia entry on the same event is the depth of analysis and the focus on the human impact of the disaster, with the article providing a detailed examination of the causes and consequences of the spill, and the ways in which it has shaped the oil industry and environmental policy, as well as the personal stories of those affected, and the lessons that can be learned from the disaster, with the article serving as a reminder of the importance of responsible and sustainable practices, and the need for continued vigilance and action, to protect the environment and the communities that depend on it.

Hold Exxon Accountable — June 13, 1994 connects Exxon Valdez to a specific historical date. 11 billion gallons spilled: Jury finds Exxon reckless in Anchorage, Alaska, on June 13, 1994, concluding the trial with a verdict.

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