  The Petersfield suffered damage in a collision in Douglas Channel about 40 km south of Kitimat, B.C. |
Read about the concerns of local First Nations.
 Shipping related incidents occur frequently along B.C.s coast. CLICK HERE to open larger map. Between 1999-2009, there were 1,275
commercial shipping incidents reported on the coast -- 164 for cargo vessels
alone. CLICK HERE to see the interactive oil spill model that shows how an oil spill from tankers, a drilling rig, cruise ships, and container vessels could affect B.C.'s coastal ecosystems and communities. 
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Descriptions of Notable Major Vessel Incidents along the Pacific West Coast
 In 1997, the M/V Kuroshima (4160 GT) reefer seafood ship drifted
aground in storm conditions while anchored in Summer Bay on the
Aleutian Island of Unalaska, Alaska. The vessel had 743 tonnes (5,700
barrels) Bunker C on board, and 89 tonnes (680 barrels) lube oil.
Approximately 145 tonnes (28 barrels) of Bunker C oil spilled,
contaminating about 10 km off shoreline. |
 In 1999, the bulk carrier M/V New Carissa lost anchor during storm
conditions and grounded outside of Coos Harbour, Oregon. It held 1,490
tonnes (11,429 barrels) of bunker fuel, spilling 268 tonnes (2005
barrels) when it broke in half. Wreck removal was the major cost of the
incident. |
 In 1999, the engines failed on, container vessel M/V Hanjin Elizabeth.
The vessel began drifting about 80 nautical miles from Brooks Peninsula
on Vancouver Island towards Cape Scott Islands. The maximum fuel
capacity of the M/V Hanjin Elizabeth is approximately 4,000 tonnes
(30,600 barrels). It was reported to have over 1,915 tonnes (19,585
barrels) of bunker fuel. The crew was eventually able to restore engine
function without further incident. |
 In 2004, the M/V Selendang Ayu went aground and broke in half at Skan
Bay off Unalaska Island in the Aleutian chain. The accident spilled
1,000 tonnes (7,670 barrels) of Intermediate Fuel Oil and 66,000 tonnes
of soybeans into the water and onto the shores of the island. |
 In 2005, the M/V Queen of Oak Bay lost power four minutes before it was
to dock at the Horseshoe Bay terminal (British Columbia). The vessel
became adrift, unable to change speed, but able to steer, and slowly
ran into the nearby marina. It destroyed or damaged 28 pleasure craft
and went aground a short distance from the shore. No casualties or
injuries were reported and no oil spilled from the ferry. |
 In 2006, the M/V Cougar Ace, a 200 meter (654-ft) car carrier, listed
80 degrees and took on water in Alaskan waters. Estimated fuel onboard
was 428 tonnes (3,385 barrels) of Intermediate Fuel Oil 380 and 103
tonnes (814 barrels) of Marine Diesel Oil. No spill resulted,but many
cars were damaged. |
 In 2006, the M/V Queen of the North ferry sank after running aground
on Gil Island in Wright Sound, 135 kilometres (70 nautical miles) south
of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Two passengers died. The ship had
approximately 180 tonnes (1,384 barrels) of marine diesel fuel on board
and 2 tonnes (14 barrels) of lubricating oil. The ferry was also
carrying 16 vehicles. The grounding and sinking created an oil slick
that spread throughout the sound. The vessel and its cargo remain on
the seabed. |
 In 2006, the general cargo (42,252 DWT) M/V Westwood Anette punctured
its “day-tank” when it drifted back into a pylon during high wind
conditions, despite two tugs attached to the vessel. The resulting
spill released an estimated 31 tonnes (243 barrels) of IFO 380 fuel oil
(Bunker C fuel oil cut with less than 5% gas oil) into Howe Sound and
the adjacent Squamish Estuary (British Columbia). |
 In 2007, the container vessel M/V Cosco Busan collided into a pier of
the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge resulting in the breach of two
wing-tanks used for fuel. The total amount spilled was 166 tonnes
(1,275 bbls) of heavy fuel oil (IFO 380). |
Haisla News Release
October 1, 2009Kitamaat Village, BC – Kitamaat Chief Councilor says the recent shipping accident confirms the Haisla’s concerns around the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project.
Chief Councilor Dolores Pollard of the Haisla First Nation reacted quickly and strongly to the news that a large ship leaving Kitimat, B.C., had suffered a catastrophic steering failure in the Douglas Channel and struck the shore, causing significant damage to the ship.
“This confirms our concerns around the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project and the need to address the ‘real’ risks involved to our livelihood, which will not be fully addressed via the CEAA/NEB process.”
Pollard stated, “We are thankful no one was hurt, and that no oil or other contaminants were spilled, but this accident clearly demonstrates why northern First Nations and communities require a more adequate process to address the risks involved with shipping of any potential contaminants that will detrimentally affect our way of life.”
Referring to the demand for a public inquiry by other First Nations and community groups, Pollard stated: “This confirms, we are all concerned about what the impacts will be on our lands and resources. The risks of shipping oil through our territories are real and the impacts of an accident or an oil spill would be devastating to us all.”
Pollard went on to say, “Our traditional laws and our fiduciary duty to our people do not allow us to delegate the responsibility for our lands and waters to others, especially an inadequate process whose terms of reference have not accommodated our interests. International Law, and more importantly, Canadian Supreme Court case law clearly states we have the right to free, prior and informed consent to a project such as Enbridge and we intend to exercise that right fully. Sadly, this accident illustrates exactly why our concerns are justified.”
For More Information Please Contact Dolores Pollard
Phone: 250-639-9361 Ext 110
