Friday morning the first reports of a vessel adrift off the shore of Haida Gwaii began to filter across the news services of the province.
With the CBC's Carolina de Ryk and George Baker taking to their twitter feeds to provide the first of the local accounts of the 135 metre container ship's troubles.
The Russian container vessel Simushir lost power in the early hours of Friday and is currently adrift 19 km west of Gowgaia Bay.
It's last port of call reportedly was Port Angeles, Washington. The vessel tracking site vessel finder offers up this snapshot of the vessel
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| Simushir photo from vessel finder |
The Council of Haida Nation posted to their Facebook page an expansive update on the dire situation facing the ship.
The Council of the Haida Nation has set up a command post at Old Masset.
Tugs have been dispatched from Alaska and Prince Rupert to attend to the situation, but weather is certainly an issue with near hurricane winds and heavy seas leaving assistance at least 20 hours away.
Updates:
The Prince Rupert Port Authority provided some helpful information as the morning moved into afternoon, outlining the nature of the size of the vessel in distress at the moment compared to those that call on Prince Rupert's Fairview Terminal.
As well, the Council of the Haida Nation have updated their information flow on the incident, providing this Press release on the situation.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, who also represents Haida Gwaii at the Legislature offered up what appears to be her first official comment on the situation, a short observation on the incident as part of her twitter feed today.
Global BC outlines that a planned press conference on the situation will take place at 3:30 this afternoon.
Late Friday afternoon, the British Columbia Government issued its statement on the marine incident (see here)
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| Photo from Maritime Forces Pacific Facebook page |
8:30 PM -- The Council of the Haida Nation has provided another update on the efforts off shore of Haida Gwaii. Outlining the news that the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Gordon Reid had secured a tow line onto the Simushir and was slowly towing the stricken vessel away from the Haida Gwaii shore.
The Gordon Reid will await the arrival of the CCGS Wilfrid Laurier in the early hours of Saturday, with the plan then apparently to bring the Russian vessel to Prince Rupert.
Weather however continues to be a factor with a strong pacific system expected to arrive in the region at that same time.
9:30 PM-- Our updated article on the latest developments off the coast of Haida Gwaii can be reviewed here.
We'll offer further updates on the situation from various media services below, as we learn more about developments.
Council of Haida Nation Facebook page updates
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| Russian vessel Simushir (green) CCG Wilfrid Laurier (blue) North of Haida Gwaii enroute to Prince Rupert as of Noon Sunday. Expected in Port perhaps late tonight, but more likely early Monday morning, weather dependent. |
Vessel Tracking website with live position of Simushir as it transits to Prince Rupert
Sunday, October 19
Council of the Haida Nation-- Statement for Sunday October 19 1:40 PM
Tass News Service-- Russian Simushir freighter to be towed to shelter port by morning Oct 20
CBC-- Simushir under tow from Barbara Foss en route to Prince Rupert for repairs
Midnight - Noon
CBC-- Disabled Russian ship highlights disaster response concerns
Council of the Haida Nation-- Statement for Sunday October 19, 9 AM
CTV BC-- U. S. tug towing Russian Ship to Prince Rupert, BC
CKWX-- Russian Cargo ship being towed to Prince Rupert
Globe and Mail-- U. S. tug towing disabled Russian cargo ship to Prince Rupert
Global BC-- American tug tows Russian cargo ship in B. C.
Saturday, October 18
6 PM - Midnight
Council of Haida Nation-- Video #6 Flying back to Haida Gwaii from Simushir
Council of Haida Nation-- Video # 5 USCG Ship Spar and Simushir off Haida Gwaii
Council of Haida Nation-- Video #4 of CCG and Simushir off Haida Gwaii
Council of Haida Nation-- Video #3 of CCG and Simushir off Haida Gwaii
Council of Haida Nation-- Video #2 of CCG and Simushir off Haida Gwaii
Council of Haida Nation-- Video #1 of CCG and Simushir off Haida Gwaii
Council of Haida Nation -- Saturday evening Statement from the CHH 8 PM
Vancouver Observer-- Russian ship crisis near Haida Gwaii raises big questions about oil and LNG tankers: Haida Council
CBC-- Barbara Foss tug arrives at Russian cargo ship Simushir, adrift off Haida Gwaii
Saturday, October 18
Noon - 6 PM
Council of Haida Nation -- Saturday afternoon Statement from the CHN 1:50 PM
Vancouver Observer-- Nathan Cullen notes "sense of temporary relief" in Haida Gwaii...
CTV BC-- Russian Cargo ship adrift again after tow line snaps
CBC-- Simushir, fuel-laden Russian cargo ship adrift off Haida Gwaii after tow lines part
Saturday, October 18
Midnight -Noon
Gov't of Canada media release-- Update to response to Drifting Foreign Vessel
Vancouver Province-- "We may have averted catastrophe here": Adrift Russian container ship carrying tonnes of fuel slowly towed to safety off B. C. coast
Global BC-- Russian container ship towed away from Canadian coast
CFNR-- Russian ship now 40 km off Haida Gwaii
Vancouver Sun-- Coast guard reaches drifting Russian ship, now towing it away from Haida Gwaii
Globe and Mail-- Coast Guard tows Russian cargo ship off B. C. coast
Toronto Star-- Coast guard vessel tows disabled Russian cargo ship off B. C. coast
CTV BC-- Coast guard tows fuel-laden ship adrift off B. C.
Victoria Times Colonist-- Drifting vessel off B. C. a huge wake up call, groups say
CBC-- Simushir, fuel lade Russian cargo ship, under two off Haida Gwaii
Friday October 17
6 PM - Midnight
Vancouver Province-- Tow line attached to Russian container carrying tonnes of oil and diesel adrift off B. C. coast
CKWX-- Disabled Russian container ship being towed away from Haida Gwaii
Associated Press-- Container ship towed away from Canadian coast
BBC-- Russian ship carrying fuel adrift near Canada
Vancouver Sun-- Coast guard reaches drifting Russian ship, now towing it away from Haida Gwaii
CBC-- Simushir, fuel laden Russian cargo ship, under tow off Haida Gwaii
Global BC-- "We are preparing for the worst': President of the Haida Nation
Council of the Haida Nation-- Situation update as of 8:30 PM
CKNW-- CCGS Gordon Reid towing crippled cargo ship away from shore at low speed
CBC-- Simushir, fuel laden Russian cargo ship, adrift off Haida Gwaii
Global BC-- Russian container ship adrift off coast of Haida Gwaii at the mercy of weather
Vancouver Sun-- Coast guard moves to prevent "environmental issue" as ship drifts off Haida Gwaii
Victoria Times Colonist-- Container ship full of oil, diesel adrift off Haida Gwaii
10 AM- 6 PM
Council of Haida Nation-- Situation update as of 5 PM
CFTK TV-- Container Emergency (video)
KRBD-- US Coast Guard assisting in rescue off BC coast
Fox News Seattle-- Ship carrying hundreds of tons of fuel is adrift off coast of B. C.
Vancouver Observer-- Haida Gwaii watchmen alarmed by Russian container ship adrift on northern BC coast
The Tyee-- If Drifting Ship Hits Haida Gwaii, "It's going to be a Mess"
CTV BC-- Container ship full of oil, diesel adrift off northern B. C. coast
CFTK-- Container ship emergency reported off Haida Gwaii
Globe and Mail-- Ship carrying 450 tonnes of fuel adrift off B. C. Coast
National Post-- Container ship laden with hundreds of tonnes of oil and diesel adrift off British Columbia coast
CFNR-- Russian Ship holding steady says JRCC
CKWX News 1130-- Container ship floating adrift near Haida Gwaii
Victoria Times Colonist-- Container ship full of oil, diesel adrift off British Columbia coast
Global BC-- Container ship bound for Russia and carrying fuel adrift off Coast of Haida Gwaii
CBC-- Fuel laden container ship adrift off coast of Haida Gwaii
Cross posted from the North Coast Review
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