Repairs to a bulk carrier that ran aground near Prince Rupert in July came to an end earlier this month, with the vessel finally being able to sail away to Asia on Sept. 9.
The 228-metre Amakusa Island ran aground 15 kilometres off of Ridley Island on July 14 while shifting from berth at Ridley Terminals. Loaded with 80,000 metric tonnes of coal, the Amakusa Island suffered damage to its hull, with two buoyancy compartments being compromised.
Michael Gurney, manager of corporate communications for the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA), said an underwater diving crew started round-the-clock work to patch the gash that was approximately 30 metres in length on July 24, followed by work to the bulk carrier's interior.
"Work at the end of the process entailed ensuring the internal repairs were complete, which meant sealing the bulkheads that separate the water-tight compartments in the double hulled structure of the ship," explained Gurney.
While the task was originally scheduled to be complete within 15 days, some setbacks meant repairs to the Amakusa Island weren't done until Sept. 8. The following day the vessel was able to sail away from Prince Rupert's harbour to its destination of Japan.
The Canadian Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the incident, and will release its official determination following the investigation's conclusion.