The 75-year-old captain at the helm of one of the biggest environmental disasters in U.S. history, which saw close to 11 million gallons of crude oil spill into pristine Alaskan waters and cost over $1.85 billion to clean up, has died.
Joseph Hazelwood’s name has been synonymous with the Alaskan oil spill, which coated 1,500 miles of the Gulf of Alaska coastline in March 1989 and killed species and destroyed ecosystems.
The death of Hazelwood was initially reported by a trade newspaper in July, but it took six weeks for the news to reach national media outlets.
His nephew told the New York Times that the mariner, who lived in Huntington, New York, on Long Island, was struggling COVID-19 and cancer at the time of his death.
Hazelwood was found to be intoxicated when the Exxon Valdez came aground on Alaska’s Bligh Reef. He was the ship’s captain at the time.
Joseph Hazelwood (shown in 2014), the 75-year-old captain of the Exxon Valdez tanker that ran aground on an Alaskan reef in March 1989, has passed away.
Hazelwood was the captain of the Exxon Valdez (shown right) when it came aground on Bligh Reef in Alaska, and he was found to be intoxicated at the time of the oil spill.
At the time of his death, the 75-year-old mariner from Huntington, New York, on Long Island, was battling COVID-19 and cancer.
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) inquiry concluded that the probable cause of the grounding was the third mate’s failure to effectively steer the vessel due to weariness and excessive workload.
Hazelwood was not on the bridge at the time of the tragedy, but the investigation found that alcohol impairment contributed to his failure to conduct an adequate navigation watch.
The Exxon Shipping Company, a subsidiary of Exxon Corporation, also failed to supply a fit captain and a well-rested crew.
In addition, the NTSB found ineffective Vessel Traffic Service and pilotage services.
Hazelwood was the intoxicated captain of the Exxon Valdez when it ran aground on Alaska’s Bligh Reef and caused a massive oil spill (pictured)
The spill wiped off species along the Gulf coast and stretched 1,500 miles inland.
It was one of America’s worst environmental disasters to date, despite the fact that thousands of volunteers participated in the cleanup operation.
The oil spill ruined rich fishing sites and habitats, prompting Congress to establish the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
Hazelwood was found not guilty of the felony allegation of operating a vessel while intoxicated, but guilty of the misdemeanor charge of recklessly discharging oil.
Hazelwood was fined $50,000 and required to perform 1,000 hours of community service while his license was suspended for nine months, but he never returned to the sea.
As a result of the spill, Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which streamlined and enhanced the Environmental Protection Agency’s capacity to prevent and respond to catastrophic oil spills.
Salmon, herring, sea otters, bald eagles, and killer whales were among the local species that perished as a result of the oil spill, despite the efforts of thousands of employees and volunteers.
Hazelwood stated in a 2014 CNN interview that he had sought permission to cross the separation zone and that there was ice in the lane.
“Two ships had done it before me,” he claimed.
I went to my office since I had papers to complete and I needed to check the weather report. The turn was initiated, although it was initiated late.
Hazelwood told the New York Times in 1999 that while he felt regret, Alaska had the lowest crime rate possible.
Hazelwood was acquitted of the felony allegation of operating a vessel while intoxicated, but convicted guilty of the misdemeanor charge of recklessly discharging oil.
After the spill, Hazelwood was fined $50,000 and required to perform 1,000 hours of community service. His license was suspended for 9 months, and he never returned to sea.
The native animals, including as salmon, herring, sea otters, bald eagles, and killer whales, were negatively impacted.
The spill coated the coastline with an oily sludge that discolored the region.
“As the vessel’s captain, I accept responsibility for the vessel and the acts of my subordinates,” he stated.
Never have I attempted to avoid that. I’m not some remorseless oaf.
But the crime for which I was convicted was a Class B misdemeanor. Alaska has no lower crime rate than the national average. The judge was required to determine a sentencing. I can comprehend it. I am not required to agree with it.
Hazelwood was born on September 24, 1946, in Hawkinsville, Georgia, and graduated from Huntington High School and the State University of New York Maritime College in the Bronx in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in maritime transportation.
At 32 years old, he was the youngest captain employed by Exxon.
A year after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the maritime college employed Hazelwood as a teacher aboard the training ship Empire State V.
Later, while residing on Long Island, he worked as a paralegal and maritime consultant for Chalos & Brown, which had previously represented him in court.