Joseph Hazelwood was the captain of the oil tanker Exxon Valdez in 1989 when it hit a reef, resulting in a disastrous oil spill.
- Died: July 21, 2022 (Who else died on July 21?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 75.
- We invite you to share condolences for Joseph Hazelwood in our Guest Book.
Exxon Valdez
Hazelwood had been in the merchant marine for more than 20 years before the headline-grabbing oil spill of March 24, 1989. He was captain of the Exxon Valdez as it began its voyage from Valdez, Alaska to Long Beach, California. When the Exxon Valdez hit Alaska’s Bligh Reef, puncturing its cargo hold and spilling 10.8 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound, Hazelwood was not at the helm, having trusted the third mate to maneuver around several small icebergs. However, he was blamed for the disaster and news reports portrayed him as heavily intoxicated at the time of the accident. The truth of Hazelwood’s blood alcohol content was unclear, and though he accepted responsibility as the ship’s captain, he later said he had been made a scapegoat. He was acquitted of felony charges but was convicted of a misdemeanor charge of negligently discharging oil. The disaster was the end of Hazelwood’s career as a merchant seaman; in later years, he worked as a paralegal and a teacher as well as a consultant for the law firm Chalos & Brown.
Notable quote
“I’m not trying to impress anybody. I just don’t want this hanging over my head. The damage is done. I’ve got to get on with my life.” —from a 1997 interview for Outside
Full obituary: The Washington Post
