It is now estimated that about 2,800 litres of oil was spilled in English Bay in Vancouver and 1,400 litres have now been recovered. Parks staff is currently being stationed on beaches near the spill to keep people out of the water. Officials have not released information regarding the vessel deemed responsible for the spill, just that it is foreign, and that the owner could be held responsible for the cost to clean up the spill.
.@CityofVancouver's City Manager Penny Ballem speaks at a #VanFuelSpill press conference today. pic.twitter.com/038Bs35Pj1
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) April 9, 2015
It took crews approximately 6 hours to secure a boom around the leaking vessel and have the spill contained. The Canadian Coast Guard was called in to investigate after numerous calls were made about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7th about an oil substance on the surface of the water. According to officials, they are unsure where the oil spill came from as the vessel is considered new.
Some #pics of the oil sheen and nasty stuff out in the water today via @BenWest #oilspill #VanFuelSpill pic.twitter.com/wFUXu72thB
— Tanker Free BC (@TankerFreeBC) April 9, 2015
None of the oil has reached the shores of surrounding beaches in the area, and the Coast Guard is calling it an “abnormal event” but not “catastrophic”. The recovery process is expected to begin on Friday morning as they spill has now been contained. The Transport Canada National Aerial Surveillance Program plane is currently surveying English Bay to determine the extent of the spill.
More information about the cause of the spill and company responsible is expected to be released on Friday.
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