Drunk autopilot.

by Barbie Kunkelova

The Exxon Valdez oil spill took place on March 24, 1989 in Alaska. It was probably the most devastating environmental disaster caused by a human ever to occur at sea. The accident happened at midnight while the ship was on autopilot and hit a coral reef. Around 11 million gallons of crude oil (out of 53 that were on the board) were spilled into the water. No wonder that thousands of salmons (chronic exposure to the oil boosted mortality among salmon eggs for over four years afterwards), sea otters, seals and sea birds (over 250,000, according to Science Daily) were killed. As the scientists found out in year 2003, the effects this spill had on the Prince William Sound are still showing. Those toxic insults to the Alaskan environment have long-term impacts on various plant and animal species. The experiments showed that the oil has persisted in large quantities for years after the accident. It is crucial to get exact results in order to motivate the oil companies to better control their shipping. Revising and enforcing the water quality standards can help restore fisheries' production lost due to pollution. On Monday, October 30, (18 years after the spill) the Supreme Court in Washington D.C. agreed to consider whether a federal jury ordered the oil giant Exxon Mobil to pay illegally high punitive damages. Lawyers supporting Exxon argued that $2.5 billion was way too much as a way of compensation to the fishermen, cannery workers and others. Exxon stated that at issue it a maritime law that says that ship owners are not responsible for damages caused by the ship-master who disregarded the owner's policies and orders - Joseph Hazelwood drove the ship under the influence of alcohol. So far Exxon Mobil paid $3.4 billion in cleanup costs and government fines. According to ANH, the challenge for the remaining $2.5 billion is rumored to start in early 2008.

related story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071029/ap_on_bi_ge/scotus_exxon_valdez;_ylt=AlD8aHlJ3EkBhWA1IqBkSI2s0NUE

by Barbie Kunkelova for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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Posted by: Jana Kalicka