M/V Marathassa fuel spill

Fuel spill size

The Canadian Coast Guard and WCMRC encountered significant fuel on the water in English Bay. Transport Canada is still investigating the fuel spill size. 

According to the Canadian Coast Guard, on April 9, an estimated 2,800 L of fuel was on the water based on their over-flight observations at 10:00am. As WCMRC recovery operations had already been underway for some time when the over-flight observations were made, it is reasonable to conclude that the fuel spill was larger.

By 6:06 pm, it was estimated that the remaining fuel oil on the water had been reduced to 667 L, due to recovery operations, evaporation, dispersion in the water, and quantities being deposited on beaches.

Estimated fuel oil recovered

The working estimate of the total actual fuel oil recovered by WCMRC was 1,400 L. This is a subjective estimate by experienced oil spill responders based on the estimates of the quantity of oil collected on the water and accumulated on boom, the vessel, and sorbent pads.

Oil type

Bunker C fuel is a heavy fuel that powers commercial ships.

When Bunker C fuel spills on water, some of the fuel may evaporate into the air. The fuel that isn’t recovered will disperse in the water column.

Bunker C fuel can be carried hundreds of miles in the form of scattered tar balls by winds and currents. 

Fuel spill movement and trajectory

Some of the oil spilled hit the shorelines and most extensively in Vancouver at Siwash Rock, Stanley Park, and at John Lawson Park and surrounding shorelines on the North Shore.

Other impacted areas included New Brighton Park, Crab Park, Second Beach, Third Beach, English Bay, and Sunset Beach.

The City collaborated with Vancouver Coastal Health to test soil and water in order to safely re-open the beaches.

Multiple levels of government have a role to play in responding to oil spills. 

The Canadian Coast Guard oversees on-water response. The province supports shoreline assessment and land based impacts. Impacted municipalities and First Nations play an important role in bringing forward local concerns, and managing impacts to public health and safety.

The polluter has an important role to play. They are represented in Unified Command.

Our role

On the ground

Vancouver Park Rangers and members from the Vancouver Volunteer Corps and the neighbourhood patrolled the Vancouver shoreline, assessing impacts on a daily basis in support of cleanup operations and liaising with the public. 

Park Rangers patrolled Stanley Park, the Seawall, and beaches.

On the phone

Our call centre staff coordinated reports from the public regarding oil on the shoreline and wildlife in distress and directed them to the units on the ground in charge of cleanup operations.

At the command centres

Staff from all departments supported the Emergency Operations Centre and the activities of Unified Command at Canada Place.

After the spill

The long-term consequences of the fuel spill are still unknown. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, heavy oils like Bunker C fuel can persist in the environment for months or even years.

Bunker C fuel may also smother marine organisms, and over the long term may cause tumors and chronic health problems in some organisms.

We are encouraging the responsible party to conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and are waiting for their work plan.

Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique

The Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Technique (SCAT) was developed during the response to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. It is a systemic way of surveying shoreline following an oil spill and is a regular part of oil spill response.

A SCAT team worked on Vancouver's shorelines, led by the responsible party, and carried out by a private contractor at the direction of Unified Command.

The team was supported by the BC Ministry of Environment, City staff, and Park Rangers. The City also contracted an independent third-party expert to accompany the team as they carried out their assessment of Vancouver's beaches and shoreline. The team arrived on the site of the English Bay spill April 9.

Ongoing activities

Once clean-up operations wrapped up, the Canadian Coast Guard initiated a project management office with many of the members of Unified Command.

This office oversees and participates in on-going activities, such as the environmental impact assessment, and identifying opportunities to improve oil spill response in the region.

We have taken a leading role in discussions on a multi-agency regional response plan that takes into consideration the unique characteristics of Burrard Inlet.

How you helped

During the fuel spill response, the public reported any fuel, or wildlife in distress because of the fuel spill to the City.

Please continue to let the Provincial Spill Hotline know if you see any further oil by calling 1-800-663-3456.

Volunteers

Trained members of the Vancouver Volunteer Corps were utilized and more than 4,000 members of the public signed up to help with the M/V Marathassa spill cleanup efforts.

This was an amazing outpouring of support. We encourage you to sign up with the Vancouver Volunteer Corps if you want to get training to support future emergency responses.

April 18, 2015

Unified Command beach update

Health advisories on all Vancouver beaches with the exception of Crab and New Brighton parks have been lifted by Vancouver Coastal Health and the City.

April 11, 2015

Oil spill cleanup

The Coast Guard has confirmed that any recoverable oil on the water has been retrieved and environmental investigations are ongoing to assess the extent of any oil that may have sunk from the water surface or settled on the seabed.

English Bay cleanup

Vancouver Park Rangers, Vancouver Volunteer Corps, and the Neighbourhood Emergency Assistant Team are supporting shoreline assessment and clean-up operations done by Environment Canada and their contractor and acting as public liaison.

April 10, 2015

Fuel spill: Wildlife response update

The Province, Ministry of Environment, Western Canada Marine Response, and non-government organizations, including Oiled Wildlife Society and Focus Wildlife are on scene actively responding to wildlife affected by the fuel spill.

English Bay oil spill cleanup begins this afternoon

The Federal Government has advised us that the formal oil spill recovery and cleanup on the shoreline will begin this afternoon around 2:00pm.

April 9, 2015

Park Board cautioning you to limit use of downtown beaches

The Park Board is urging you and your pets to stay out of the water and avoid the high tide line at the beaches around English Bay until the impact of an oil spill last night can be assessed.

Fuel spill in English Bay

Boaters and watercraft operators should stay away. Do not go to the beaches to offer assistance as there are potential health risks.