VALDEZ, ALASKA. (August 21, 2024) – Today, at approximately 1:43 PM, a mooring
dolphin at John Kelsey Municipal Dock failed, collapsing into the ocean while the Silver
Muse cruise ship was tied off. No injuries were reported, and the cruise ship sustained
no damage. Due to the vessel being securely tied off in several areas, the incident did
not affect the ship’s docking.
Mooring dolphins are critical structures that assist in securing ships to piers using lines.
They may also provide pedestrian access via bridge structures. The failure of the
mooring dolphin led to the immediate closure of the John Kelsey Municipal Dock’s west
entrance, which will remain closed until further notice.
The City of Valdez is currently working on an estimate of the damage and the cost of
repair. While the impact on port operations is not yet clear, the City is actively assessing
the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.