A petroleum tanker barge and tug operated by the Kirby Corporation of Texas ran aground shortly after 1 AM on Thursday near Gale Pass in Seaforth Channel, as the events of Thursday progressed, the tug Nathan E. Stewart began to take on water and sank at approximately 9:50 AM with fuel continuing to flow into the water as it became submersed.
The tug and the barge combination, the latter of which was empty, were transiting along the BC Coast and were in transit from Alaska to Vancouver. The Nathan E. Stewart was holding 190,000 litres of diesel at the time of the incident.
Heiltsuk vessels were on scene through the day to monitor the situation and assist with the early spill response, but observed that the situation was beyond their ability to control.
Also noted as in the area and responding were the Canadian Coast Guard Vessels Cape St. James, Bartlett and Tully, they were able to secure the crew of the tug before the vessel sank.
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| The Nathan E. Stewart tug and barge combination (upper left) ran aground near Bella Bella on Thursday morning, with the tug sinking just before 10 AM (map from Marine Traffic.com) |
The nature of the impact on the community from the fuel spill was outlined in a media release from the Heiltsuk Tribal Council.
Of note from the incident is that the spill puts at risk an area where 25 important species are harvested, included in that area of immediate concern are manila clam beds which is a key element of the economy for the region.
The full outline of the information release can be reviewed below:
Vessels and crews from the Prince Rupert base of Western Canada Marine Response were dispatched on Thursday to attend to the fuel spill, but were not anticipated to be on site until the Friday morning.
In an information statement from Thursday, WCMR outlined that the response to the Bella Bella area will include a mobile skimming vessel, two boom skiffs, a workboat and tug and barge holding three trailers. The information statement also provided a photo of the barge, with Coast guard vessels just off the port side.
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| Photo of the fuel spill near Bella Bella (from WCMR website) |
The incident has reinforced calls from those that want to see a tanker ban put in place on the West Coast of Canada, with both NDP MLA Jennifer Rice and NDP MP Nathan Cullen taking note of Thursday's events.
The vessel appears to have become a pariah for many on the west coast, particularly for those who are looking to see an oil tanker moratorium put in place on the west coast.
There is a collection of items to be found noting the nature of the Nathan E. Stewart's purpose, the frequency of its travels in British Columbia waters and concerns over the potential for incidents such as Thursday morning delivered.
Have you Seen the Nathan E. Stewart
The Nathan E. Stewart: An Oil Tanker No-One wants to see running the BC coast
Diesel spill near Bella Bella Exposes B.C.'s Deficient Oil Spill Response Regime
Updates on the latest developments from the Bella Bella region can be found on the Heiltsuk Council twitter feed and Facebook page.
Some background on the current incident, the environmental response plans and the impact on the Heiltsuk Nation can be reviewed below, we will add items to the listings as more information becomes available.
October 14 -- Feds revoke petroleum barge's rights to ply B.C. coast without Canadian pilot after grounding
October 14 -- Clark blasts Ottawa after Bella Bella diesel spill
October 14 -- Bella Bella diesel spill cleanup complicated by severe weather
October 14 -- Christy Clark blasts Ottawa over cleanup commitment after diesel spill
October 14 -- Christy Clark blasts Ottawa after Bella Bella spill
October 14 -- Premier blasts Ottawa over Bella Bella spill response
October 13 -- Clam beds at risk after sinking tug spills fuel near Bella Bella, says local First Nation
October 13 -- Diesel fears after tug and petroleum barge run aground near Bella Bella
October 13 -- Tug boat and fuel barge run aground near Bella Bella: crew rescued, leak reported
October 13 -- Tug's diesel spill a 'nightmare' for Heiltsuk Nation in British Columbia
October 13 -- Tug sinks near Bella Bella spilling 190,000 litres of diesel
October 13 -- First Nation urges Trudeau to rush tanker ban after diesel spill in Great Bear Rainforest
October 13 -- Sunken tug boat leaking diesel fuel near B.C.'s Great Bear Rainforest.
October 13 -- Heiltsuk Chief Councillor 'Deeply Concerned' about the tug boat and fuel barge that ran aground
October 13 -- Petroleum barge runs aground near Bella Bella
Cross posted from the North Coast Review
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