All the President’s Men Briefs

“In Memoriam” how Alyeska’s cult-ure remembers George M. Nelson.

So true about his “I’m a Big Wheel” attitude, so brazen an aloofness that the United Way would mint a pin in the dis-respect. Fucking George, making fun of a wheelchair! And I am sure if he were in a race with other contestants that live by the “chair”, do you think he would play fair? What goes around comes around, must have been interesting when George got that early morning call, about a “wreck” in Prince William Sound. What do you mean he told the caller that was the Queens problem? And that story about George showing up at Pump Station #1 and refusing to identify himself to security - that indictment traveled down the line and the Wackemhunters were on to George’s loose wheels. Now in Valdez, we only saw George about once a year, as we didn’t pay him any respect. But we did have to put up with “Wild Ride Westerheid”. That is how we received our yearly “Pipeline Recon” hours of training, as Bob was well known to make his own roads through Thompson Pass. There was a rumor that the snowplows would follow Bob’s trail…preemptive search & rescue. One thing good about the Alyeska “Heavy Chevy Suburban” coffin-on-wheels that were in the possession of the executives, painting these mean machines “Uncle Al RED” was the key to success, highlighted with big white identifiers. It helped locate airborne vehicles now in the ditch - all year long. Accept, accept if a roll-over, and that was Westerheid’s MO like when off the road unexpectantly, peddle to the metal. So came the reason the Bob truck’s undercarriage was also painted “red” with the big white call sign. While stationed at the “Marine Terminal”, we would often get the “Code Blue” for “Recon” practice if Bob was on the road and didn’t check in with dispatch on a regular basis and if radio silence for too long, mobilize the “recon” crews. See, we would head out of Valdez like an ARMY, all kinds of equipment in tow, like we were getting ready to invade Canada. But down in Valdez, security had a similar “missing badge” mishap when George tried to crash the gate without showing his Alyeska mugshot. And since this free-loading by the Company President was a well know fact, security played along and George fell right into the “trap”. Now when irate “You Know Who I Am” Nelson threw his badge out the window at the check-point in Valdez, well it blows cold and hard in this part of Alaska, so the badge went airborne and rested in a puddle. And Mr. Security walked over to the water’s edge, and with the aid of a flashlight was able to identify George and then retreated back into the comfort of a warm shelter - all the time Nelson’s badge left out in the cold. Next thing, Nelson is pissed to be tied and manages to wrestle his lanky figure out of the truck and in a flubbergasted move, hits the ice and is soon joining that badge in the puddle. Soak and wet, Nelson finally makes it to the Administration Building, and it is panic mode as to find some dry cloths. And the only thing the secretary could come up with - a set of Nomex Coveralls, the old “Orange Julius” addition. So George looked like a carrot. Now he was supposed to meet and mingle with the workers, so with the coveralls he fit right in, especially with that brand spanking new white Alyeska “hardhat” - like a Michael Dukakis moment as he didn’t know how to adjust the headband and with every step, the hat went airborne. It didn’t fit. Anyway, we were over at the East Metering/Incoming skid evaluating the reason the pipeline reliefs were popping, talk about a nerve racking experience as when a system is called upon to evacuate 1000 barrels of crude oil to safety in 4-seconds, a whole lot of rock’n rolling makes way for “run, it’s going to blow”! I have witnessed “townies” run like hell when in the vicinity of the “reliefs”, even with a giant warning sign of “No Running”. So George was on hand to talk with us, and it appeared he was rather comfortable this time around, it was the fact he was not in his 5^th Floor Bragaw clown suit and instead wearing what the workers are required to wear when in the field, coveralls - so kudos to the flying badge and the puddle. It was the first time I witnessed George so cool, calm and collected. And I wasn’t the only one that noticed all-of-a-sudden change of attitude, as by this time the word was all over the “Terminal” about the slip into the puddle and the hassle to find George some dry wigs. So while Smith is explaining to George the operation of the “relief” and “back-pressure”, Joel comes by and we share a laugh, but also wondering why Nelson is so “in tune” with the work we do, behaving civil for a change and Joel had the answer. Remember, all wet he was like pissing in his pants and had to borrow, so was it a thong or panties underneath?

But sure enough, that thong would provide a strangle hold upon George, it started about 3am on March 24th, 1989. I honestly felt sorry for George, as he was under a whole lot of pressure, as documented in transcripts from the Alyeska Emergency Room:

MR, HEINZE: It is Easter Sunday, it is a slow day.

MR. NELSON: Yeah.

MR. HEIN7E: But it's a non-watch T.V. day for a lot of folks, Okay. Look, George, here's where I'm at. I gather you all have pretty well handed it off to Exxon at this point‑

MR. NELSON: Yes.

MR. HEINZE: I realize you've still got some ongoing responsibilities and work    

MR. NELSON: Yeah.

MR. HEINZE:    but it's -- you know, it's got to be pretty well in their hands        

MR. NELSON: Yes.

MR. HEINZE:   at this point as far as calling the shots. I think we need to be developing a plan
MR. NELSON: Um-hum.

MR. HEINZE: to present to the Coast Guard that addresses the issue of getting both the tankers that are in there out and getting tankers in.

MR. NELSON: Yeah- Arid that -- that at the present tine, is being handled by Exxon. I talked to the folks at Exxon first thing this morning and they -- they say that is -- that is well in hand. I suggested perhaps that Alyeska could get more involved in that if they thought that, at this point, would he helpful. The Coast Guard people will recognize that the important thing is to get the Port opened. And if this dispersant -- if you want to look at it optimistically, if this dispersant run this afternoon is successful and plus with this wind out of the northwest, hopefully a channel can be opened up on the east side and we can start bringing tankers in and out. We've got to get our tugs back and Exxon is working that, and we should have our tugs back -- two of them, here this afternoon sometime which -- you know, like ­as you know, we need those to…    

MR- HEINZE: Yeah, they think they can release them that early?

M. NELSON: That's what they're saying. And -- because they've got other -- other equipment coming in. And we said, well, what is it and, you know, where is it coming from? And they -- the person we talked who is their on-site commander, didn't have those details, but at least this is what they're telling us anyway. We're still at 800,000 barrels a day, which we've been since 6:00 Friday evening. And that takes us to another six days. If we were to drop to 500,000 barrels a day -- and we had two discussions with BP about that this morning, George N. Nelson and Doug Webb, and at least for now we're holding through the day at 300,000 barrels to see what happens with these dispersants and the winds. And -- and then where we go from there. But T--I think -- it's my strong opinion that Exxon and the Coast Guard -- particularly the Coast Guard, understands the necessity to get that Port open as soon as possible. And we've got a new Coast Guard guy up here, an admiral. And guess what -- guess what his name is? Nelson!
MR. HEINZE: oh, we need another Nelson.

MR. NELSON: Yeah, we need another Nelson in the midst of this thing.

MR. HEINZE:    All right. All right. Look, here's -- here's where I'm at. Tomorrow morning my most senior management, like the Chairman is --           

MR. NELSON: Uh-hum.

MR. HEINZE: is going to be chomping at the bit to do something   

MR. NELSON: Yes.

MR. HEINZE: positive for opening the Port.

MR. NELSON: Yes.

MR, HEINZE: I guess I'm going to be talking to Darroll later on, and I’ll try and make sure he understands.
MR. NELSON: Okay.
MR. HEINZE: The problem is at some point, that we got
MR. NELSON; Yeah.

MR. HEINZE: For all I know call Bush and Bush can call the coast Guard. So, I think it is appropriate to work through Alyeska to try and make sure that, you know, again, whatever commitment of resources and whatever aggressive approach is necessary to try and figure out some way. I mean the combination of dispersant, some sort of boom sweeper in front of the convoy, or something. You know. I'm not trying to make up the plan but I -- I think there's got to be a plan somehow that’s acceptable.

MR. NELSON: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, you know it's -- don't -- I don't want you to get the wrong impression. I'm not ducking this   

MR. HEINZE: No, I know you're not.

MR. NELSON:  in the sense of leaving it with Exxon. And the question of when -- when the Port opens up is in a way, of course, more a -- a group kind of thing for -- for the owners and operators of the pipeline and -- and the other tankers and, of course, the people that own the damn oil. But it appears to be working most efficiently now, at least at this stage, with -- with the way Exxon is -- is working it with the coast Guard, and in our conversations with Commander McCall. We have not made contact with good old Admiral Nelson yet. And so what I am suggesting to you, we see where it gets us today, and if, by tomorrow morning, we are not hearing positive kinds of sounds as to when this Port is going to open up, and that is, how it's going to be opened up, and when that might occur, I think at that point, assuming that I just don't totally screw up Exxon's efforts, I will personally get involved in it. And -- and I'm not talking -- and then at that point, if I'm not getting much of anywhere, I think we -- we escalate it very, very rapidly to the levels you're talking about.

MR, HEINZE; Yeah, yeah. Well, let, you know the problem is two-thirds or three-quarters of that oil goes to the West Coast.

MR, NELSON: Yeah.

MR. HEINZE; And you're going to piss off about 35 million folks .,..

MR. NELSON: I know.

MR. HINZE: with a gasoline shortage out here.

MR. NELSON: Yes. Yeah, yeah.

MR. HEINZE: You know, I mean, that's the only way I can explain it. we're talking about a lot of folks mad.

MR, NELSON: Um-hum.

MR. HEINZE: you think you've got a hornet's nest now
MR. NELSON: oh, I know. I know.

MR. HEINZE: And -- and you know, that's what, you know, is going to get said is -- is that at some point unfortunately two-thirds or three-quarters of that stuff is what's running the West Coast.

MR. NELSON: Yeah.

MR. HEINZE: And there's just -- there's no way to divert a lot of oil here quickly from other places.

MR. NELSON: Yeah, Yeah.

MR. HEINZE: And the system is run pretty tight and you just -- and you really start closing off for a period of time, its going to get tense down here.

MR. NELSON: Well, let me put it this -- let me ask you this. Do you have contacts with the -- with the Coast Guard in Washington, D.C. that -- you know, the four star admiral? Do you have contacts there?

MR. HEINZE: We can if we need to. Like I said, -- you know, I think if the President of the United States calls him, he'll answer.

MR. NELSON: Oh, I certainly think so too. Well, you know, I'd go -- I'd        

MR, HEINZE:  I -- I just can't visualize the log going any lower than          
MR. NELSON: No, no, no, I can't either.

MR. HEINZE: good old. George (Nelson). say George (Nelson) -‑

MR. NELSON: 1 -- I -- I can't either.

MR. HEINZE: poor George (Nelson)  

MR. NELSON: I would -- if you've got

MR. HEINZE: Is Admiral Nelson's first name George, by the way?

MR. NELSON:  I -- I don't even dare ask. I'm afraid it might be. But I would go ahead and press that button with the Coast Guard Commandant in Washington right today if you’ve got it.

MR. HEINZE; Well, I don't think we've got it today but      

MR. NELSON: Yeah.

MR. HEINZE: no big deal tomorrow. And    

MR. NELSON: They really do understand the necessity for getting it open. NQW I wouldn't try to convince you they -­that they understand it to the degree that the people, you yourself understand, and that kind of thing. But that -- you know, even the Governor (Cowper) understands it.

MR, HEINZE: Yeah. When, and -- and           

MR. NELSON: Even Dennis Kelso understands it.

MR. HEINZE: Yeah. Well, and again, I -- you know, I don't think we're saying do it -- you know, do it sloppy, but there has to he a good plan for doing it           

MR. NELSON: Uh-hum.

MR. HEINZE:   that is possible. It can't he -- you know       

MR. NELSON: Um-hum,

MR. HEINZE: Well, if you can convoy tankers through minefields, you can -- you can get them through a little oil.
MR. NELSON: Yeah. You can get then through a little oil, yeah.

MR. HEINZE: It may be slow and it may be a…        

MR. NELSON: Yeah.

The sad thing and why I felt a little sorry for the jerk, he was getting pressure not only from the “spill” but pressure from the “Owner Companies” for that all important “mission” of money, money money…money. Opening up the “Port” for tanker traffic is all the oil men cared about, as the damage was done with the “wreck” everybody will eventually get over it but what they could not stand at the scene of the crime was profits lost, as for some there is never getting over the money side of things as recovery is lost forever. The profit targets are set in stone way in advance, and a CEO’s “golden thong” is dictated by meeting those goals. So with the “Port” closed due the EXXONageddon, the cash register for “Big Oil” was on “Tilt”. Get it fixed was all they cared about, let someone else worry about the spilled oil. If you read the above “transcript” between George of Alyeska and Heinz of ARCO and calling the other George Nelson of SOHIO/BP a poor looser, it will pinch you awake. But Alyeska was responsible for the “Wreck”, as it allowed Joe Hazelwood to traverse that “causeway” from land ahoy to his engine running tanker, the rest was history.