JUNEAU- Senator Tom Wagoner (R-Kenai) today on the Senate floor introduced a formal legislative citation honoring Captain Peter Garay and the Alaska Marine Pilots.

The legislative citation was passed with unanimous consent, while Captain Garay looked on from the Senate gallery. Representative Paul Seaton (R-Homer) is also a prime sponsor of the citation.

During the harsh winter weather that battered Northwestern Alaska in January, Captain Garay and his crew aboard the Coast Guard icebreaker Healy escorted the 370-foot Russian tanker Renda on its trip from Dutch Harbor to Nome where it delivered 1.3 million gallons of fuel for the winter. Foul weather hampered a fall delivery attempt and Nome was in danger of running out of fuel before winter’s end.

“Today we honor Captain Garay and his crew for braving the winter seas and carving a path for the Renda through 300 miles of ice on its way to Nome,” said Senator Wagoner. “Once they reached pilotage waters, Captain Garay served as the compulsory state pilot and navigated the tanker through the ice-packed seas to Nome.” Sen Wagoner added.

Captain Garay was well suited to the challenge. Licensed as an Unlimited Ships Master and Unlimited State Licensed Marine Pilot for western Alaska, he has plied Alaskan waters and sea ice for the past twenty years. Currently Alaska’s trustee with the American Pilots Association, he has also served as a pilot member on Alaska State Board of Marine Pilots and served as president of Alaska Marine Pilots.

“Captain Garay and the Alaska Marine Pilots were heavily involved in all stages of the planning and execution of the project, lending their much needed expertise. This was an enormous undertaking and a job well done. On behalf of the State of Alaska, we thank you.” Senator Wagoner concluded.

Source: Senator Tom Wagoner