Americas News
Bulk Carrier Released After Vancouver Bunker Spill
The Canadian Coast Guard has released the M/V Marathassa after the vessel leaked an estimated 2,700 litres of fuel into Vancouver's English Bay, Canadian media reports.
The Cyprus-flagged bulker had been ordered to remain berthed following the spill earlier this month.
The ship was reportedly released Monday evening, with the vessel continuing on to Vancouver Harbour to load up on grain as originally intended.
While berthed, crews attempted to clean the hull of bunker fuel, though the coast guard admitted that a small ring of fuel remained.
"The incident command science and environment teams have concluded that further efforts to remove this ring would necessitate the use of chemicals which was deemed to be unacceptable to partner agencies represented at incident command," the Coast Guard said.
The agency added that when the M/V Marathassa departs, it will also be accompanied by an environmental response vessel in case of further leakage.
"In the unlikely event of an oil release during transit, this escort will be ready to capture it," the Coast Guard said.
The spill, which politicians have said was small by historical standards, has sparked a flurry of criticism regarding the cleanup response.
Last week, both Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and British Columbia Premier Christy Clark pointed to what they saw as a lack of leadership over the matter on the federal level.
