Vessel of Opportunity Program

Cordova District Fishermen United holds the contract with Alyeska Pipeline/SERVS (Ship Escort/Response Vessel System) to execute the Vessel of Opportunity Program for Cordova. CDFU employs the Fishing Vessel Administrator and Alternate Fishing Vessel Administrator to manage the contracts with Fishing Vessel Owners based out of Cordova.

Read more about the program as found on the Alyeska Pipeline Website…

"Alyeska Pipeline, through the Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS), contracts with more than 400 vessels around Prince William Sound to provide oil spill response support. The Vessel of Opportunity program was started in 1990, to employ local residents in oil spill response, especially those working in the fishing industry. Today, the boats and their crews are an integral part of Alyeska’s response readiness.

Every year, vessels of opportunity participate in rigorous training that lasts several days. Crews spend time in the classroom learning oil spill and emergency response basics. Then they head on water for hands-on experience. They work with SERVS personnel on response barges to load up their own boats with equipment, and then practice deploying boom, setting up skimmers, and rehearsing other recovery tactics. Additionally, many vessels participate in drills and exercises to ensure they are prepared to respond in case of an actual incident. Vessel Administrators have offices in Cordova, Whittier, Kodiak, Homer, Seward, and Valdez."

Questions can be submitted to Kelsey at kelsey@cdfu.org or 907-424-3447

Interested in getting your vessel on contract in Cordova?

Cordova is currently accepting vessels for our wait list. To get on the waitlist for consideration, complete the form below and submit a survey.

Interested in participating in the program as a crew member?

Individuals who are 18 years of age and older, and who have not participated in any other port in the same year are eligible to attend the training. If you do not have a vessel to train on, submit your information below to be put on a list for Vessel Owners to view. We then provide crew information to Vessel Owners.