Thursday, 03 September 2015 12:52
Cargo ship caused oil spill in Thunder Bay
Written by AdminSailor
Port officials in Thunder Bay have almost finished cleaning up nearly 200 litres of oil that spilled into the Great Lakes in the evening of Aug 30, 2015, after the "Michipicoten" unintentionally released the fuel oil into Lake Superior.
The vessel left the port again on Sep 3 at 11 a.m.
The Canadian Coast Guard had laid out floating barriers which were effective in containing the wasted fuel. The process of cleaning up was also aided with the help of unique sponges that were able to absorb oil. Provincial officials have been tasked with disposing of the spilled oil.
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Crews are on scene after an oil spill in Thunder Bay's port Sunday night
Jamie Smith, tbnewswatch.com
MV Michipicoten is in port at Superior Elevators Monday afternoon.
By tbnewswatch.caom
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA
Crews are on scene after an oil spill on the city's waterfront Sunday evening.
According to the Canadian Coast Guard, it happened Sunday as the crew aboard the bulk carrier MV Michipicoten was transferring fuel between tanks aboard the ship. The ship was docked at a slip at Cargill's Superior Elevator Terminals at the time of the spill, which is estimated at about 200 litres.
The crew activated its response plan and took action to contain the spill. Crews form Potters Pumping are now on site conducting cleanup operations. All of the spilled oil is said to be contained in the slip.
Coast Guard environmental response superintendent JJ Brickett said the province, various federal ministries and Fort William First Nation have been notified and inspectors are on scene. The area is mostly commercial and the spill is mostly between the ship and dock face.
"No concerns for sensitive areas were articulated to us," he said.
It's expected it will take at least a couple of days to pump the oil from the slip and clean the ship and surrounding structures.