A cargo ship heading to the U.S. encountered damage and water ingress near Bella Bella on the Central Coast of British Columbia, as per officials. The Canadian Coast Guard was alerted to the situation by the Malolo tugboat on Tuesday morning. The vessel, en route from Alaska to Seattle, began taking on water approximately 480 kilometers northwest of Vancouver, with no pollution incidents reported as of the following day.
According to William Housty, the director of the Heiltsuk First Nation’s integrated resource management department, dive surveys revealed damage to the stern of the ship, indicating it may have made contact with the seabed. The ship was initially located in the Fisher Channel, 15 kilometers east of Bella Bella, but has since been relocated to a safe harbor near Matthew Island.
Transport Canada confirmed that the barge carries refrigerated containers, dry goods, and diesel for refrigeration purposes. Despite no pollution or damage reports related to the barge, precautionary measures have been taken to protect nearby salmon creeks and culturally significant areas.
In response to the incident, an oil boom has been deployed around the mouths of three salmon creeks, and another barge from Alaska Marine Lines is en route to assist with cargo transfer. This development is not expected to disrupt the supply chains for Southeast Alaska communities.
The event has raised concerns, particularly regarding the lack of transparency regarding the barge’s contents and destination. The incident underscores the need to address the risks associated with increased marine traffic in the region, especially following past environmental disasters like the 2016 oil spill caused by the sinking of the Nathan E. Stewart tugboat near Bella Bella.
As discussions continue regarding potential amendments to the oil tanker ban on the northern B.C. coast, coastal First Nations emphasize the need for stringent regulations to mitigate the risks posed by marine accidents and oil spills, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by their communities.
