Shell oil-drilling ship leaves Everett, bound for Arctic

EVERETT — Royal Dutch Shell’s oil-drilling ship moved out of the Port of Everett early Tuesday morning, headed for Alaskan waters to explore for Arctic oil.

Protestors in kayaks, tugs and law enforcement boats escorted the Noble Discoverer into Port Gardner before sunrise.

Five of about 20 protesters were detained and cited by authorities for coming within 500 yards of the ship after they launched from Mukilteo.

Before the Noble Discoverer or Shell’s drilling platform, the Polar Pioneer, came to Puget Sound earlier this year, federal authorities created a safety zone around the vessels, requiring others to stay 100 yards back when the vessels are stationary and 500 yards away when they are moving.

The drill ship and platform are at the center of Shell’s controversial plan to explore waters off Alaska for oil. Opponents have staged several protests, most in Everett and Seattle. Shell used the two ports to stage its Arctic exploration efforts this summer.

The “Shell no” protest campaign is trying to tip public opinion against the company’s Arctic drilling plans, which opponents say threatens to damage fragile wilderness areas and contribute to potentially harmful climate change.

The company has said in public statements that it is acting responsibly and carefully.

Starting this month, Shell proposes to drill up to four exploration wells over two years in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s coast.

Vessels from Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Everett Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard escorted the Noble Discoverer out of Everett on Tuesday.

“At the end of the day, safety was our top priority,” said Lt. Dana Warr, a spokesman for Coast Guard District 13 in Seattle.

The Coast Guard issued 24 citations when the Polar Pioneer left Seattle two weeks ago.

A first offense carries a $500 fine. A second can be as high as $2,500.

Four protesters were also cited in Bellingham for chaining themselves to a Shell support ship in late May. One woman spent about two and a half days chained to the ship.

Those fines can be as high as $40,000 for each day, Warr said.

That means the woman faces up to $120,000 in fines.

She can appeal the fine through a third-party hearing official, which would be handled by the Coast Guard’s Arlington office, he said.

Overall, the activists have been careful and cooperative in their protests, even when detained by Coast Guardsmen, he said. “They listened to and respected the boarding parties. We appreciate that.”

At least seven Shell ships have spent time at the Port of Everett this year, said Lisa Lefeber, the port’s spokeswoman.

They could be back at the end of the summer, but port officials do not yet know for certain, she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.