Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster
This movie is about the real-life struggle to contain the environmental and financial damage caused to Alaska by the oil spill from the Exxon Valdez.
Questions to Consider
1. Explain how exactly the crash happened. What went wrong leading up to the crash?
2. Why was the cleanup delayed initially? Who ultimately took charge and responsibility for the cleanup?
3. How was the cleanup conducted? Explain how boom, dispersants, burnoff, and any other techniques shown work.
4. Describe the role the fishermen played in the cleanup.
5. At the end of the movie, a press conference is shown. The local citizens are visibly angry with Exxon. What specifically is the source of their anger? Do you believe they are justified?
6. These are the major people involved in this accident. Explain the role each one played.
Dan Lawn, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Frank Larossi, President, Exxon Shipping Company
Steve Cowper, Governor of Alaska
Dennis Kelso, Commissioner, Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Joseph Hazelwood, Exxon Valdez ship captain
Cmdr. Steve McCall, US Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Control
Larry Shier, Manager, Alyeska Pipeline Terminal
Chuck O'Donnell, Superintendent, Alyeska Pipeline Terminal
William Reilly, Director, EPA
George H.W. Bush, President
7. What person or organization would you ultimately believe was responsible for the poorly equipped and coordinated cleanup effort? Justify your answer with specific information from the movie.