MEC&F Expert Engineers : Marathassa Bunker Fuel Oil Spill Response Operational Update

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Marathassa Bunker Fuel Oil Spill Response Operational Update












Marathassa Spill Operational Update – April 14, 2015

The following are current priorities of the Unified Command:


  • Vessel cleaning
  • Decontamination of equipment and vessels
  • Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
  • Establishing animal care for any wildlife at HMCS DISCOVERY
  • Environmental impact assessment and monitoring
  • Long-term planning
  • Ongoing shoreline assessment and clean-up activity, as required
  • Keep stakeholders informed of response activities
  • Keep the public informed

REPORT FROM THE INCIDENT COMMAND POST:


  • There has been no indication of any impact to public health and safety.
  • M/V Marathassa continues to be cleaned. Divers inspected the hull and clean-up work continues on the vessel; no chemical cleaners are being used.
  • Divers discovered a patch of oil stuck to the bottom of the vessel.
  • Other identified vessels have been cleaned – crews are double checking these vessels today.
  • Estimated quantity of surface oil remains at approximately 0.2L.
  • Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Team (SCAT) has inspected an area of 64km and identified 6km that is being cleaned Tuesday.
  • Approximately 150 personnel are involved with the response.
  • A wildlife rehabilitation facility has been set up and is operational at HMCS DISCOVERY, Stanley Park.
  • 1 oiled duck could not be saved; 2 oiled ducks are in care; there are up to 30 birds that are being monitored by wildlife specialists.
  • Sediment sampling is ongoing and biological sampling begins today.
  • Plan to monitor long-term impacts is being developed.

Communications Contacts: Incident Command Post: 778-991-0003 Information/report wildlife: 604-873-7000

Marathassa Spill Operational Update – April 12, 2015
The following are current priorities of the Unified Command:


  • Vessel cleaning
  • Decontamination of equipment and vessels
  • Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
  • Establish animal care processing at HMCS DISCOVERY in Stanley Park
  • Environmental impact assessment and monitoring
  • Long term recovery planning

REPORT FROM THE INCIDENT COMMAND POST:


  • There has been no indication of any impact to public health and safety. 
  • A Transport Canada surveillance flight today reported surface oil was estimated at less than .5 litres.
  • Of the potential area of impact, we have surveyed 62 km.  No oil was observed on 90 per cent of surveyed area.
  • Clean-up and assessment teams are cleaning the affected areas.
  • Work has begun to set up a wildlife rehabilitation facility at HMCS DISCOVERY, Stanley Park.
  • Three oiled birds remain in rehabilitation, approximately 20-30 others fowl (primarily ducks) are being monitored by wildlife specialists.
  • M/V Marathassa continues to be cleaned. Divers are inspecting the hull and clean-up work continues on the vessel; no chemical cleaners are being used.
  • Six vessels are scheduled for cleaning: one has been completed.
  • The Canadian Coast Guard, Port Metro Vancouver and Western Canada Marine Response Corporation remain on-scene with multiple vessels patrolling the area.

Communications Contacts; Incident Command Post: 778-991-0003 Information/report wildlife: 604-873-7000