KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska

Jay Barrett/KMXT The grounded Shell Exploration drilling rig Kulluk appears to be withstanding the elements as it sits grounded on Sitkalidak Island near Kodiak. Officials from the unified command say it has remained stable on the sand and gravel beach, and no fuel spill has been observed. The Kulluk is a massive drilling unit, designed specifically for operations in Arctic …

Jay Barrett/KMXT As of early this morning the grounded Shell Exploration drilling rig Kulluk is reported as remaining stable with no oil spill pollution observed. That word from the Unified Command office at 6:50 this morning. It echoes the latest situation reports from the Command, made up of industry, state, federal and local agencies. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s …

Waves crash over the mobile offshore drilling unit Kulluk where it sits aground on the southeast side of Sitkalidak Island, Alaska, Jan. 1, 2013. A Unified Command, consisting of the Coast Guard, federal, state, local and tribal partners and industry representatives was established in response to the grounding. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg Jay …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT Last night the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly unanimously voted in favor of a short term solution to the bio solids issue. During the special meeting in the borough conference room last night the assembly heard from Borough Environmental Director Mike Patterson about the proposed plan for composting city sewage sludge at the landfill. Patterson said the sludge will …

Jay Barrett/KMXT Problems continue for Shell Oil’s mobile drilling rigs in Alaska waters. The tug towing the Kulluk, which left Dutch Harbor last Friday, is having engine trouble in 20-foot seas about 50 miles south of Kodiak Island. Coast Guard spokesman David Mosley in Anchorage says the tug Aiviq began experiencing engine problems late last night, but has enough power …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT Winter is usually pretty hard on a lot of Kodiak residents, especially when it comes to spending. High fuel costs and cold weather make for costly heating and electric bills, but some community members might not realize that the state has options for financial assistance. Jerrol Friend is a certified energy rater in Kodiak and said funding for …

Jay Barrett/KMXT The latest ship in the fleet of Alaskan Leader Fisheries will be one of the biggest longliners plying Alaska waters once it’s launched early next spring, and it will be making Kodiak its homeport. But even before it hits the water, the fishing vessel “Northern Leader” is being lauded as a significant advancement in long-lining and sustainability. Jensen …

Coming up this week: Alaskans react to the FDA’s latest action on Frankenfish, a new Petersburg hatchery is moving forward, and crab fishing for art. That’s all for this year’s production run of the Alaska Fisheries Report. And since it’s the last show of the year, let’s thank our underwriters, Alaska Boats and Permits, the Alaska Marine Safety Education Institute, …