Each year oil tankers pass through Valdez Arm about 600 times. That’s a dramatic decline from when crude was flowing through the pipeline at its peak rate. Cruise ship traffic is also much lower than it once was, with Princess planning only eight visits to Valdez this summer. But every once in a while, two ships will pass one another between Valdez Narrows and Buoy 9, near Rocky Point. Critics say that’s unacceptable and it’s unclear whether a meeting on the issue this week signaled any progress.
Amy Bracken, KCHU – Valdez
