The existing tanker ban prohibits oil tankers plying B.C.'s North Coast from carrying more than 12,500 metric tons of crude oil or persistent oil products as cargo

A U.S.-bound cargo ship was damaged and has taken on water near Bella Bella on B.C.'s Central Coast, officials say. The Canadian Coast Guard said the Malolo tugboat reported the issue to them around 10:15 a.m. PT Tuesday.

Officials say the boat was going from Alaska to Seattle, Wash., when it was damaged and began to take on water about 480 kilometres northwest of Vancouver. They say there were no reports of pollution as of Wednesday morning.

Near Bella Bella, B.C. 

The Dunlap Towing Company tug Malolo reported on Tuesday morning, November 18, that the barge it was towing was taking on water and sitting low in the water. At the time, it was approximately 300 miles northwest of Vancouver near Bella Bella, B.C. It is in an area supervised by the Heiltsuk First Nation’s Marine Emergency Response Team.

The Malolo is a 50-year-old twin screw tug

The Malolo is a 50-year-old twin screw tug with 3,420 horsepower. It was towing a barge for Alaska Marine Lines, coming from Kodiak, Alaska, bound for Seattle, Washington. The company operates barges that are approximately 400 feet in length with a capacity of upwards of 17,000 tons of cargo. Photos show the barge carrying at least 300 containers, as well as several vehicles on top of the containers and boats on trailers.

The stern had been damaged 

William Housty, the director of the Heiltsuk First Nation's integrated resource management department, told CBC News that dive surveys showed the stern had been damaged and suggested the barge must have hit the ground at some point.

He said the vessel was reported to them in the Fisher Channel, around 15 kilometres east of Bella Bella. It's since been moved into a safe harbour just off the channel, behind Matthew Island, according to the response team’s latest update Wednesday morning.

Aprecautionary pollution control boom strung

The Heiltsuk response team was monitoring the barge and reports that a precautionary pollution control boom has been strung, although there are no reports of leaks or pollution so far. The barge was towed into one of the inlets to put it in a more sheltered position, and divers inspected the hull on Wednesday. A spokesperson from the Heiltuk First Nation told Canadian media that there is damage to the hull of the barge and speculated that the barge likely struck something. They reported that the barge, however, is stable and is not continuing to sink.

Alaska Marine Lines 

Alaska Marine Lines told the Canadian media that a second tug and barge had been set to location and the plan was to lighten the load on the barge. They expect that the two tugs with the barges will then proceed to Seattle. The operation could be challenged or delayed by forecasted high winds in the region this week.

The Canadian Coast Guard reports it is collaborating with the Heiltsuk Nation, Transport Canada, and the tug owner to ensure an appropriate response.

Providing a vital cargo link

Alaska Marine Lines provides a vital cargo link between Alaska and Washington state. The company told the media that because the barge was southbound, it was not carrying groceries or supplies for Southeast Alaska, and there would be no disruption to the supply chain to the state.

The incident also comes as the federal government considers amending its current oil tanker ban on the northern B.C. coast, to allow some traffic.

The existing tanker ban prohibits oil tankers plying B.C.'s North Coast from carrying more than 12,500 metric tons of crude oil or persistent oil products as cargo. But as Ottawa, which is in talks with Alberta about building a new pipeline, is considering granting limited exemptions.

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Source : Agencies
 The Canadian Coast Guard ,B.C.'s North Coast ,Alaska Marine Lines , The Heiltsuk ,Malolo tugboat ,U.S.-bound Cargo Barge , Damaged ,  Water North of Vancouver