Log barge Alaska bound for repairs

With the clean up complete and a stricken vessel now on its way to Alaska for permanent repairs, the Coast Guard was expressing satisfaction for the most part, that the troubles of the Swiftsure Prince were handled as well as they could have been in the circumstances.

It’s a thought that the folks in Metlakatla might beg to differ on, considering the final unloading spot for the barge of both logs and diesel over the last week or so.

The Daily News had details of the status of the log barge in Tuesday’s paper as their front page story.

CLEAN-UP OPERATION ENDS AS BARGE TOWED TO ALASKA
Coast Guard pleased that around 1,000 litres of diesel fuel was accounted for
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Pages one and two

The log barge that leaked more than 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel last week is now on its way to Ketchikan, Alaska, for repairs with the Coast Guard reporting that a significant amount of fuel that spilled from it has since been recovered.

Repairs were ongoing during the weekend to patch portions of the hull of the barge that were damaged, and once Transport Canada gave the green light, the vessel was under tow to Ketchikan where it will be more permanently repaired.

"We don't have any firm numbers on how much fuel was onboard, but in total, 14 drums or 600 gallons of diesel fuel was recovered," said Dan Bate, Coast Guard Canada communications officer.
"In addition, over 400 gallons of diesel-soaked absorbent material was recovered and placed in drums to be disposed of. All in total, that's a pretty significant amount of material that's not left on the water, which is always a positive thing."

The loaded log barge under two from Masset was deliberately run aground in Pillsbury Cove last week at the order of the harbour master after it became unstable, spilling diesel fuel and creating a sizable sheen in the Prince Rupert harbour.

The barge had earlier struck a sandbar and developed a severe list while crossing Hecate Strait, putting the vessel off balance and creating a severe tilt and serious safety issue.

The local Coast Guard vessel Point Henry was sent out and escorted the tug and barge into Prince Rupert harbour, where it was grounded.

The area the barge was grounded and where the diesel sheen developed is a sensitive food harvesting area for the village of Metlakatla. Chief Councillor Harold Leighton expressed concern that band leaders had not been initially informed about what was happening, and told about the possible damage diesel would have on their shellfish and seaweed harvest.

North Coast MLA Gary Coons was also saddened by the event, and worried that the contamination of Metlakatla’s harvesting grounds would get a poor response similar to the one received by Hartley Bay after the sinking of the Queen of the North.

According the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, because diesel fuel is a light and refined petroleum product, when spilled on water, most of the oil will evaporate or naturally disperse within a few days, even in cold water.

Because it is much lighter than water, diesel will not sink and accumulate on the seabed floor, however it is possible for it to be mixed into the water column in the form of small droplets that are carried and kept in suspension by currents. When small amounts of diesel hit the shoreline, it tends to be washed off by waves and tidal flushing.

However, diesel fuel is one of the most acutely toxic oil types, and any fish, invertebrae or seaweed that come into direct contact with a diesel spill may be killed. Crab and shellfish can also be tainted by diesel spills in shallow, nearshore, areas because they bioaccumulate the oil. When birds come into direct contact with diesel they can also be killed, either by ingesting the oil on their feathers or through hypothermia from matted feathers.