The skiff was found yesterday afternoon. Local volunteers went out to search for Larson by boat but 20-30 knot winds in the area prevented an air search until Thursday afternoon. A ground search continues today. Last Three Escort Tugboats Delivered to Alyeska Crowley Marine Services has delivered the last of three escort tugboats to Alyeska Pipeline Service Company in Valdez. The specially designed vessels serve as tanker escorts in Prince William Sound, as part of Alyeska's Ship Escort Response Vessel System.
Officials say their function is to prevent oil spills by helping tankers through the Sound.
The companies say they also will serve as firefighting and response vessels, should the need arise. An ex-convict paralegal, sought by the Alaska State Troopers for fleeing from a Kenai Peninsula campground with a gun, has been taken into custody. Ben Latham was charged with second degree theft, tampering with evidence and third degree misconduct involving a weapon, all felonies. Troopers say they believe the 36 year-old Latham is the man who took off with a gun that was brandished during a June 18th brawl at Moose Pass Campground.