Americas News
Bunker Spill Off Canadian West Coast After Tug and Fuel Barge Run Aground
A bunker spill has been reported following the grounding of Texas-based Kirby Corporation's (Kirby's) tug Nathan E. Stewart and fuel barge DBL 55 at Edge Reef in Seaforth Channel off British Columbia shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday, Canadian media reports.
"Obviously, the vessel — the tugboat — for all intents and purposes, it’s sunk. There’s two massive tugboats here that are engaged in getting and removing the barge away from the shoreline," said George Cuthbert, owner of a nearby lodge.
The articulated tug-barge combo is said to have been on its way back to Vancouver from Alaska at the time of the incident, and while the 287-foot fuel barge is noted to have been empty, the tug, which left Alaska with about 50,000 gallons of diesel, began leaking fuel into the water.
The Canadian Coast Guard is reported to have arrived on scene with a lifeboat at 2:20 a.m., while Kirby is also noted to have called the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation in order to assist with the response, as well as Resolve Marine Group.
Two further ships arrived on the scene and remained throughout the day to coordinate environmental response.
A boom is reported to have been placed around the tug, with divers attempting to secure the leaks early on Thursday evening.
"It’s really bad out here. A lot of fuel is on the beach already, and fuel is in the water," said Kelly Brown, director of the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department.
"The Heiltsuk are providing our own equipment because what responders have been able to provide so far is insufficient."
Last year, the Canadian Government implemented a ban on crude oil tankers along the country's West Coast.
