A cleanup operation is underway of toxic bunker oil that was spilled from a ship in English Bay on Wednesday evening.
The Canadian Coast Guard are working with Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) to manage the situation.
The City of Vancouver, Port Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Police Department and Transport Canada are also responding to the scene.
“The fuel is toxic. Boaters and watercraft operators should stay away. Do not go to the beaches to offer assistance as there are potential health risks, ” the City of Vancouver warned.
“We are very concerned about the fallout of this oil spill on our pristine beaches, ” said Park Board Chair John Coupar . “Our park rangers and senior staff are doing everything they can around the clock to monitor impacts and assist our partners as requested.”
According to the Coast Guard Captain Roger Girouard, around 3,000 litres had spilled into the water out of which 1,400 litres of the substance had already been skimmed from the water by crews that worked overnight. The spill was contained as of Thursday afternoon, the Canadian Press writes.
Samples of the substance have been taken to laboratory for examination as there were certain claims that it was raw crude.
Brand-new foreign cargo ship named Marathassa was surrounded by the spill, however, Girouard said that the crew denied anything was coming from the grain vessel.
“The suspect vessel remains boomed off and samples taken from the area are being analyzed,” the Canadian Coast Guard said in a recent tweet.
As informed, the next steps will be shoreline assessment and cleanup.
World Maritime News Staff; Image: Youtube