Around two-thirds of the 29,500 litres of bunker C fuel that escaped from a ruptured fuel tank on the Westwood Anette on Friday (Aug. 4) has now been mopped or vacuumed up, said government and agency representatives taking part in the clean up.
As well, it seems that the spill, while affecting parts of the Squamish Estuary badly, had not spread through the entire Estuary area.At a press conference on Sunday, representatives from B.C.'s environment ministry, the coast guard, and the Canadian Wildlife Service answered questions about the spill. The container ship, which was carrying wood pulp, is owned by Norwegian company Gearbulk. Earlier reports had incorrectly identified the ship as Japanese owned. The owner is currently being held responsible for covering the costs of the clean up and wildlife rescue.
Two 6" x 2" holes were punctured into one fuel tank resulting in the loss of the fuel, said Brian Clarke from the ministry of the environment.
Hesaid much credit needed to be given to the captain of the Westwood Anette, who brought the container ship back into the dock when the leak had become apparent. This meant that much of the fuel was contained because the ship "acted as a breakwater" between itself and the immediate shoreline. This prevented greater contamination of the Estuary andalso allowed cleanup to advance fairly quickly.
He added that by that point, two days after the spill, no wildlife rescue program had begun because its details were still being organized.
"We have not collected any birds to take out of the area," said Clarke. "But no one has reported any dead animals as of yet."
Clarke added that it was too early to give an accurate final cost for the clean up but said that it was already approaching $100,000 and was expected to be somewhat higher, though he "didn't want to speculate" at this stage.
Dave Smithof the Canadian Wildlife Service confirmed that "the responsible party" for the accident would be covering the cost of animal rescue.
He said that members of the public were advised not to rescue animals at this point as there was no operation in place to clean or treat them. Once theremaining free-floatingoil has beencleaned up it will be easier to collected stricken animals.
Those wishingto volunteer to help with the wildlife rescue and recovery are asked to call a number set up by Squamish District: 604-815-5077. This number will bemanned from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.and those who leave their phone and name details will be contacted shortly.
Following the press conference, the Chief spoke to Jim Lang, Emergency Co-ordinator for the District of Squamish, who said that the oil cleaners had had a "great day" on Saturday, collecting 14,000 litres of fuel.
"For them, they were telling me, it was the best day they've ever had in a situation like this," he said.
Lang said that some oil had moved up the estuary as far as Wilson Crescent, Downtown, and as far south in Howe Sound as Anvil Island, just southwest of Porteau Cove.
And according to Canada Press (CP), as of Saturday afternoon, more than 50 people were involved in the cleanup, including employees of the provincial environment ministry and Burrard Clean, a contracted company that specializes in oil spill response.
Members of Squamish First Nation were also being trained in clean-up methods with including them in the clean-up by the end of the long weekend.
Also on Saturday, park rangers in Porteau Covewere advising campers to stay away from the beach, as wind was pushing oil toward shore.
Meg Followes, president of the Squamish Environmental Conservation Society,told CPher society, along with the municipality of Squamish and Squamish First Nation, want the B.C. government to declare the estuary a provincial wildlife management area, which means it would be managed principally for the benefit of wildlife. Industrial development, including any port development, would be restricted.
Update Saturday, Aug. 5, 9 p.m.:
Around 50 tons of bunker C fuel mixed with diesel oil leaked into Howe Sound and the Squamish Estuary from the fuel tanks of the Norwegian cargo ship Westwood Anette after it rammed into a pier near Squamish on the afternoon of Friday, August 4. As of 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon, the oil had spread a kilometre into Howe Sound and also clogged much of the Squamish Estuary.
The Chief will provide updates over the coming days as they come in from the emergency services and Department of the Environment.
Jim Lang, Emergency Co-ordinator for the District of Squamish, said the district was following the response to the crisis "with the agencies responsible" for clearing up the oil. He added thatthe public shouldrefer tothe Ministry of the Environment for any updates on the situation.
"The Ministry[of theEnvironment] and the ship's owners are responsible for controlling the spill," he said.
Lang said a co-ordinated response to assisting the wildlife affected by oil was still being set-up (as of Saturday at 1pm). He appealed to the public to not go after affected animals and birds and to wait for instructions.
"Some people have been going past the boundaries set to save the wildlife, but it is not good for citizens to get out there," he said. "They don't realize that even their footprints will push the oil deeper in[to the soil and sand].
The Squamish region's Chief Medical Officer on duty, Brian O'Connor, said that the beaches will remained closed for the foreseeable future, so there should be no swimming, kayaking, windsurfingor other activities in and around the water.
"I am hoping that common sense will prevail when people see the state of the water," he said.
He added that "people should expect a lingering smell in the air", but added that there are no huge health alarms for most of the general public.
"It is reasonable that [the smells] may irritate some folks who are sensitive. If they want to be very cautious, those with respiratory concerns should take precautions like staying indoors," he said.
Barry Penner, BC's Environment Minister says the shipping company has revised its estimate of how muchbunker fuel was leaked into Howe Sound. He says 29, 500 litres got into the estuary, and added thatabout 14, 500 litres have already been collected.
