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UPDATE: Oil slick origins undetermined, Coast Guard

Coast Guard investigates oil slick in Prince Rupert harbour following fisherman’s report
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Following reports of an oil slick spotted in the Prince Rupert harbour the Coast Guard investigated the situation and could not determine the source of the spill.

“With regards to the April 14 incident, upon reading the article, CCG (Canadian Coast Guard) environmental response attended the location but the source could not be determiend. It was noticed that there was an odour, as well as carbon residue (soot) mixed in with an unrecoverable sheen,” said Michelle Imbeau, communications advisor for the federal department.

Since the report, the Port of Prince Rupert and the Port Edward Harbour authority have continued to monitor the area.

“Unless incidents or supsected pollution are reported in the earliest stages (first few hours), the tide will move the sheen into other locations, making it difficutl to accuratley identify a source,” Imbeau said in her email.

On April 13, fisherman Joe Lewis provided photos to The Northern View of the oil sheen, and he said he followed the trail right to the Fraser River Pile and Dredge (FRPD) barge.

However, FRPD is emphatically denying that the reported oil slick came from any of their vessels. “… Fraser River Pile and Dredge equipment was not the cause of the slick,” Sarah Clark, chief operating officer of FRPD, said.

“In the event we do experience spills, our crews are trained on quick response and clean up procedures and have all the necessary equipment on hand to do so. If we experience spills from our own activities we also report to the appropriate regulatory bodies.

“We have noted slicks in the area during our time on site that have not originated from our equipment and have reported to the Prince Rupert Port Authority.”

On Thursday, commercial fisherman Joe Lewis reported an oil sheen in the harbour near the Fairview Container Terminal, who said it appeared to be emanating from near a FRPD barge (FRPD-BEL Gateway Joint Venture is responsible for the construction of the Fairview Terminal expansion).

PREVIOUS STORY: FISHERMAN REPORTS OIL SLICK

“[It was] floating right in toward Fairview II,” Lewis said. “You can see small herring and salmonoids feeding amongst it. I’ve seen them floating around dead and twitching and I was wondering what was wrong with them. I’ve seen that on numerous occasions.”

On April 14, at 10 a.m. Lewis was on the commercial fishing boat he works on when he spotted “a huge oil slick all over the water.”

As he followed the slick he took photos with his phone. He also saw oil absorbency mats at the corners of the dock. In response to reports of the oil slick, Michael Gurney, the Port of Prince Rupert’s manager of corporate communications, said they take a serious approach to the appearance or suspicion of any contaminants in Prince Rupert harbour.

“We work with the Canadian Coast Guard to identify vessels that pump out contaminated bilge water, which can cause hydrocarbon sheens on the water,” Gurney said in an email.

He stressed that anyone who may notice a waterborne pollutant should notify the Canadian Coast Guard who will investigate and mitigate such incidents.

“With respect to the recent observations brought to our attention by the Northern View, we have followed up with port partners working in the area to confirm the situation and ensure that any issues are being reported appropriately,” Gurney said.

To report a spill, the Canadian Coast Guard line in Prince Rupert is 250-627-3074 (or toll-free 1-800-889-8852).