Page 69: of Marine News Magazine (November 2014)

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to cut corners on safety to meet a price. We sometimes get beat up over price but often still win the business because of our experience and safety record.”

Challenges & Solutions

Nevertheless, she says, operating effi ciently and safely in the Arctic constitutes an enormous challenge.

For starters, she says, the remoteness of the region can be the number one issue. “Prudhoe Bay is 750 miles away from Anchorage and it is incredibly remote. Prudhoe Bay has the only road system leading into the Alaska Arctic.

Everywhere else has to be reached by airplane, boat, or snowmobile,” she said. Once there, however, communica- tions becomes even a bigger issue, adding, “Communica- tions are getting better where there is cell service in most villages, but just outside the village it drops to nothing.

Internet is also very slow and expensive. Where there is adequate bandwidth it is very expensive – around $1000/ mo per meg.”

Finally, there is the obvious barrier posed by the extreme temperatures and weather. Davy explains, “The North

Slope has some of the harshest weather in the world. Tem- peratures often dip down to the -50 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are phase conditions in the winter where all work has to stop till the snow stops blowing and visibility im- proves. Special personal protection gear is mandatory to be worn when operating on the North Slope. Often times, it is bulky and hard to work in.”

Making a business venture in the Arctic involves a sim- ple formula, says Davey. Oil & Gas and maritime com- panies need to work with local companies who know the area. “This offers the best chance of success. The Alaska

Arctic is fragile and we must do our best to protect it. It is full of resources in oil and gas, but it also provides the food source for our Native people. Fairweather operates in joint ventures with Olgoonik Corporation in Wainwright and Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation in Kaktovik. This al- lows us to leverage our business opportunities with the lo- cal knowledge to achieve shared success.”

Experience does count in the Arctic. That involves bal- ancing the bottom line of business, positioning the client for success, and respecting both the harsh climate and the value of the natural resources to those who live there.

That’s where Fairweather comes in and Lori Davie makes it happen. www.marinelink.com

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