A log carrying barge was intentionally grounded near Prince Rupert on Tuesday, after it began listing and leaking fuel into the waters approaching Prince Rupert harbour.
The self-loading barge 100 metres long, 22 metres wide and weighing 4,000 tonnes was transporting logs from the Queen Charlotte Islands to Prince Rupert when it began listing in Hecate Strait overnight, tugs accompanying the barge attempted to try and rectify the problems but when things took a turn for the worse, the coast guard was called and the decision made to bring the barge into the Cove where they would attempt to contain the spill.
The decision to pick Pilsbury Cove hasn't been a welcome one by the Metlakatla band, who are upset that they weren't informed about the problem and by the choice of the grounding area which is in the middle of an area where local members of the First Nation harvest seaweed and clams.
The Metlakatla Band says that the damage has already been done and that it's too late for any kind of enivronmental response as the oil is everywhere brought ashore with days tides.
The Coast guard don't expect things to be contained until first light of Wednesday morning, when they can once again assess the situation.
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It's not the first time that the vessel has run into trouble, back in 2005 it ran adrift in the busy waters of Barkley sound, an incident which was noted in a press release of the day from the US Coast Guard.
The CBC and the Northern View had details on the problems posted to their websites on Tuesday. While the Globe and Mail posted this article to their website on Wednesday.
Log barge spills diesel near Prince Rupert harbour
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 5:45 PM ET
The Swiftsure Prince is leaking diesel fuel from its 11,350-litre tank. (CBC)
Diesel fuel leaking from a massive log barge near Prince Rupert, B.C., won't be able to be fully contained until first light Wednesday, according to coast guard officials.
The Swiftsure Prince — a self-loading barge 100 metres long, 22 metres wide and weighing 4,000 tonnes — was carrying logs to Prince Rupert from the Queen Charlotte Islands on Monday night when it began listing in Hecate Strait.
The crew from the tug hauling the barge attempted to deal with the situation, but when their workboat failed, the coast guard was alerted.
A coast guard cutter took the tug and barge in tow and was headed south for Prince Rupert harbour when the barge started spilling fuel.
It was towed into Pillsbury Cove, near Prince Rupert, and intentionally grounded Tuesday, said the coast guard.
Some of the barge was boomed to contain the diesel fuel, officials said, but because of the precarious load of logs aboard, it was not safe to set up booms around the entire boat.
About 500 metres of boom was deployed to protect sensitive areas of Prince Rupert harbour, coast guard officials said.
Coast guard spokesman Dan Bate described the spill as "a light diesel sheen, which is not recoverable," and will eventually evaporate.
It's not known how much fuel spilled but the barge's tank can hold up to 11,350 litres.
Officials expect to offload the logs and complete the booming sometime after first light Wednesday morning.
But the leader of a local First Nations community said damage control efforts are already too late.
The tides were carrying the spilled fuel on to the beaches where members of the Metlakatla band were harvesting seaweed and clams, Harold Leighton, the band's chief councillor, told CBC News Tuesday afternoon.
"For Metlakatla, the damage is done. The oil is out there. It's everywhere," Leighton said.
Leighton said he didn't understand why the coast guard dragged the vessel into Pillsbury Cove, which he says is a sensitive marine area.
"We're not satisfied at all," Leighton said. "No one's had the decency to contact Metlakatla and tell us about the problem."
This Swiftsure Prince has run into trouble before. Three years ago, the barge was cast adrift in rough weather off the Washington coast.
The barge's owner, Sea-Link Marine Services of New Westminster, B.C., declined comment on Tuesday.
Logging barge run aground now stabilized
By Shaun Thomas
By Shaun Thomas
The Northern View
May 06, 2008
A barge carrying bundled cedar logs appears to have stabilized after it was run aground last night.
According to Barry Bartlett with the Prince Rupert Port Authority, the vessel was listing up to 23 degrees in the waves last night, and it was brought in to Pillsbury Cove and grounded to stabilize the ship. The logs are now being taken off of the boat and, once its cargo has been unloaded, it will be brought in for maintenance and repairs.
Photo above from Northern View website
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