Capt Scott Ferguson panel session 3: Operating Challenges in the Arctic

1. Leadership During a Time of Change
“Managing the Gateway to the Arctic”
Sector Motto: “ALL MISSIONS, HUMBLE SERVICE, BUILDING
LEADERS.”
Captain Scott J. Ferguson

2. Arctic Opportunities
• Exploration and Exploitation
of Subsea Resources
• Marine Transportation
• Fisheries
• Tourism

3. Arctic Challenges
• Environment
• Protests
• Lack of Infrastructure
• Logistical Challenges
• Distance
• Waterways Mgmt
• Jurisdiction/Authority/Rights

4. Arctic Shield 2012
Force Lay Down Schematic

5. Sector Puget Sound Roles
During the stand-up of Arctic Shield 2012, Sector Puget Sound
brought together a wide range of Coast Guard missions and
capabilities operating under one consolidated command. The range
of Coast Guard missions performed included:
•Maritime Safety
•Maritime Security
•Protection of Natural Resources
•Maritime Mobility
•Changing Energy Picture

6. 2012 Staging Areas
SEATTLE (VIGOR SHIPYARD):
MODU KULLUK – NOBLE
DISCOVERER
PORT of EVERETT:
OSV AIVIQ – OSV HARVEY SPIRIT
BELLINGHAM:
ARCTIC CHALLENGER

7. Puget Sound MTSA
Implementation
• USCG Facility Security Inspection of Ports & Shipyards with AS12
support vessels
• Regulatory initiative aligned with the International Ship & Port
Facility Security Code (ISPS)
• Stakeholder Involvement
• Bi-national Support

8. USCG 2012 Arctic Vessel
Inspections
• SEATTLE
 MODU KULLUK: COC Issued by OCMI with MODU National Center of Expertise
Inspector, Sector Puget Sound MI’s & Sector Anchorage MI.
 NOBLE DISCOVERER: COC Issued by OCMI with MODU National Center of Expertise
Inspector, Sector Puget Sound MI’s & Sector Anchorage MI.
• BELLINGHAM
 ARCTIC CHALLENGER: COI Issued by OCMI on Arctic Containment System (ACS) barge
designed to support containment/recovery of sub-surface hydrocarbon release or blowout. This
ACS is required to be onsite prior to drilling into hydrocarbons in the Arctic theater.

9. Waterway Safety
The Coast Guard is responsible for safety, security and environmental
stewardship in our regions navigable inland and coastal waters. Our
responsibility extends equally to all waterway users.
• The Coast Guard established a 500/100-yd moving safety zone around
the KULLUK and the NOBLE DISCOVERER.

10. Protecting Americans
Constitutional Right to Protest
A top priority for the U.S. Coast Guard is to ensure the safety of all
waterway users including:
• Protestors
• Responders
• Industry
• Property
• Environment

11. Future Oil Companies
Although delayed, we anticipate interest from several oil
companies to drill exploratory wells and expand oil production
in offshore lease areas in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas over
the next several years.
• Royal Dutch Shell
• Conoco Phillips
• British Petroleum
• Statoil

12. U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaking
• USCGC HEALY
• USCGC POLAR STAR
Other Arctic nations (e.g., Russia, Norway, and Canada) continue
to field robust icebreaking

13. Coast Guard Arctic Outlook
SHORT TERM
• Lessons Learned AS12
• Build on AS12 Experiences
• Continue Robust Marine
Inspection Program
LONG TERM
• Collaborate Relationships:
Industry, Academia, Environmental
Groups, Native Tribes, other nations,
state, local governments.

14. LEADERSHIP AND THE ARCTIC
Questions?