Visiting Exxon Valdez at Bligh Reef

The Exxon Valdez grounded in Prince William Sound, Alaska, April 1989,

Continued from…..

After several weeks I was offered an opportunity to hop aboard a helicopter and fly over the disabled tanker, I would not be able to go on board, but I could see what we had all been working on so hard for so long.  After weeks of 14+ hour days with meals served at our desks, it was wonderful to don an orange flight suit, the ones we carefully inventoried each day, and leave the building.  My photos are not good, wrong film, too much motion, dirty window view, but I doesn’t matter.  I was there, I saw, it is a part of history now, a part of our state and what we learned has helped others and made new technology available.

My view out the door of the helicopter while on the deck of the Exxon Valdez, April 1989.

I was only able to work six weeks, when I left efforts were still not producing satisfaction and I knew the crews were in for a very long haul, perhaps years.  History tells the story.  Today the sound is nearly restored, birds, fish and wildlife are abundant again.  Much money has been paid by Exxon to the state of Alaska and to folks who suffered loss.  Not everyone is satisfied, but compared to what is happening right now in the Gulf of Alaska, we should be thankful that things turned out as well as man could manage at the time.  Fault can be found on all sides.  I choose none.  I was an observer, a hard worker, and did my best.  For this I will be forever grateful.  Alaska is still beautiful, the land that I love, the land that I continue to paint.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist