Beluga Days--ATB Edward Itta

ATB Edward Itta aŕriving on September 25, 2019

While scanning the waters of Knik Arm for signs of beluga whales this year with the Beluga Whale Alliance, I have witnessed the comings and goings of various vessels around the small boat ramp and the Port of Anchorage.   These movements, which we dutifully note on the observer’s log sheet, take place near the high tide. Our two-hour observation periods also occur around the high tide, when beluga are likely to be present.

My observations on the late afternoon of September 25, 2019, recorded the arrival of a tug pushing a barge, which on first glance looked like a single vessel.  I had seen the barge departing the port on a high tide during a previous session.  Today, it approached Knik Arm on the incoming tide and arrived off the port as the tide was peaking.  Another tug met the vessels to escort them into the harbor. The barge hull bore the name EDWARD ITTA—a name I immediately recognized as that of the late Inupiat Whaling Captain and Mayor of the Alaska’s North Slope Borough whom I had met some years earlier.  “So how,” I wondered, “does a tug barge come to bear his name?”

A quick internet search revealed some details about the tug-barge, known as articulated tug-barge unit or ATB, which the consists of a tank vessel (barge) matched with a large, powerful tug that is positioned in a notch in the stern of the barge  A hinged (articulated) connection allows for separate movement between the two parts.

An article dated November 2, 2017 on the Professional Mariner website reports “the vessel names have a very personal meaning for Harley Franco, chairman and CEO of Harley Marine Services…The barge is named for Edward Itta, an American Inupiat politician, activist and whaling captain who died of cancer in 2016.” 

A Harley Marine publication “What’s in a Name: The Story of Our Vessels” from 2018 provides additional details on the barge’s name.  The publication explains, “Harley Marine’s mission statement emphasizes involvement in the communities where we work and live. We have been inspired to give back by a variety of individuals who exemplify good citizenship…we salute past and future leaders and friends who we believe make our world a better place.” The entry for Edward Itta, an 83,000-barrel capacity, refined product barge with a length over all of 430 ft, 3 in and a beam of 76 ft. 8 in. states

Edward Saggan Itta was born on July 5, 1945 in Barrow, or Utqiagvik, Alaska. Growing up in a house of 11 children, Edward learned how speak up and be heard from an early age. After he graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in 1964, Edward trained as an electronics technician at the Griswold Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, and in the U.S. Navy.  He was raised in a traditional American-Inupiat household and loved fishing, hunting and camping which eventually led him to a career as a whaling captain.

The proud life-long Alaskan was a pillar of his community and served two consecutive terms as the Mayor of North Slope Borough (2005-2011). While serving as mayor, Edward Itta was met with the challenge of maintaining and protecting the strong traditions of the Inupiat lifestyle while also facilitating the potential of economic growth from the oil and gas industry. In 2012, President Obama appointed Edward to the seven-member United States Arctic Research Commission. He also served as vice chairman of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, as President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council of Alaska and as President of the Barrow Whaling Captains Association.

Edward Itta lost his battle to cancer on November 6, 2016. “His achievements and contributions to Arctic policy and the state of Alaska will long be remembered,” said Alaska Governor Bill Walker in a statement to the Anchorage Daily News. It is very fitting that the EDWARD ITTA will continue to serve Alaska and her citizens for many years to come.

The ATB Edward Itta departed Anchorage the next day at 1600 hours on the rising tide.  Its stay in Anchorage lasted about 24 hours.