There is potential for a massive oil spill in the Fraser River after a tugboat capsized in it.
The vessel was sailing down the waterway on Tuesday, August 14th at 1 am in the morning when it overturned and sank.
What’s more, it carried a large tank onboard with 22,000 litres of diesel. As a result, a significant amount of fuel could spill into the river.
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The Canadian Coast Guard set up a red containment boom around the boat, and two other tugboats were sent in.
Western Canada’s Marine Response Division also arrived at the scene and deployed sorbent pads into the water. They have since removed them and are currently standing by.
Tugboat Capsizes
A tug overturned and sank off Deering Island in the Fraser River. It has a large tank onboard and there’s a potential for a significant amount of fuel to have been released. COV environmental and Coast Guard currently assessing. #fraserriver #COVemergresponse
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) August 14, 2018
WCMRC was deployed last night to the capsized tug boat, the George H. Ledcor, in the north arm of the #FraserRiver. We have deployed and recovered sorbent pads and are now standing by on scene. @SpillsInfoBC @CoastGuardCAN
— WCMRC (@MarineResponse) August 14, 2018
Known as the George H. Ledcor, the boat was carrying four crew when it overturned; however, all of them were recused by a nearby tugboat.
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