The spill source has been controlled, with more than 500 personnel and 298 Vessels of Opportunity actively recovering the approximately 3.5 million gallons of oily water mixture collected so far. The Coast Guard safety zone has expanded to 5 by 10 miles, fishing remains open but avoid any seafood where oil is visible or detectable, and the updated claims line is 1-877-664-5044.

Sensitive area protection activities divert or exclude oil from environmentally sensitive areas and shorelines. Special techniques include specific protection strategies, such as diverting and entrapping oil before it contaminates identified coves and shorelines.

Additional FAQ information regarding fishing vessels and the response.

As of 12:00 a.m., May 13, responsibility for claims management will transition to the U.S. Coast Guard National Pollution Fund Claims Center.

VALDEZ, Alaska, May 12, 2026 – At approximately 7 p.m. today, Fairwater Tankers Alaska LLC has joined
the Unified Command that was established to respond to a crude oil spill in Prince William Sound.
Fairwater owns the tanker T/V Western Sea, and is the responsible party for the cargo that was spilled
at approximately 3:30 a.m.

Avoid harvesting or consuming any seafood, birds, or mammals in areas where oil or sheen is visible or detectable by smell, and do not collect animals that appear oiled or are behaving abnormally. Finfish, birds, and mammals all metabolize oil relatively quickly, so animals that show no visible signs of oiling and appear otherwise healthy carry a low consumption risk. If you remain concerned, avoid eating organ meats, particularly the liver.

Trained wildlife task force members conduct wildlife response activities with oversight from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) agency biologists.

Valdez, AK – Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (Alyeska) is responding to a spill of crude to water in Prince William Sound. There are no known injuries as a result of this incident, and no impacts to wildlife have been reported.

At approximately 3:30 a.m. today, the tanker T/V Western Sea collided while anchored in Prince William Sound near Knowles Head, Alaska, releasing crude oil into the water. Fairwater Tankers Alaska LLC has assumed responsibility for the response, with more than 350 personnel deployed alongside a Unified Command of federal and state agencies. No injuries have been reported, and updates will be provided as the investigation proceeds.