Americas News
Bond Set On Bunker-Leaking Ship in Vancouver
A CAD $300,000 ($247,000) bond has been set on Greece-based Alassia NewShips Management (Alassia), the owner of the bulk carrier that leaked bunker fuel into Vancouver's English Bay, Canadian media reports.
The M/V Marathassa had been in Vancouver waters early this month collecting grain when valve problems led it to leak roughly 2,700 litres of of fuel into the water.
The subsequent cleanup efforts has elicited harsh criticism from both the public and local government, who deemed that the federal coast guard force had not been responsive enough.
Alassia reportedly agreed to the bond, which will provide incentive for the company to appear at any subsequent proceedings or prosecutions.
Canadian federal spokeswoman Jillian Glover noted that the bond is “not intended to cover the cost of the fuel discharge cleanup.”
Jim Lawrence, a spokesman for Alassia, also said that the company is “focused on what it takes to have the vessel cleared for a return to trade and [is] working with all concerned to achieve that goal.”
According to reports, the M/V Marathassa has since completed its original intent of collecting grain at Vancouver's Cascadia Terminal, and is currently anchored in English Bay awaiting clearance from federal authorities.
Despite ongoing criticism, the Canadian Coast Guard has maintained that its response was "exceptional" by international standards.
Earlier this month, it was suggested that the city of Vancouver is keen to recover the costs that it incurred on its part of the cleanup response, having already hired an outside lawyer to potentially pursue the case in court.
