Capsized Tug near Deering Island
Last updated on April 5, 2023DISCLAIMER: Information provided is based on reports received by Emergency Management B.C. Information provided is considered to be current at the time of posting, but is subject to change as new information becomes available.
Incident Description
| Incident Date | August 14, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Name | Capsized Tug near Deering Island |
| Source | Vessel |
| Nearest Community | Vancouver |
| Spilled Content | Diesel |
| Who is involved? | Canadian Coast Guard, B.C. Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy, City of Richmond, Musqeaum First Nation, Ledcor Group, Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC), Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment & Climate Change Canada, City of Vancouver, Canadian Wildlife Service, Tsleil-Waututh, Fraser River Pile & Dredge, and AMIX Group |
Response Phase Detail
The responsible person or spiller is legally required to clean-up or manage the clean-up of a spill. In incidents where the responsible person is unknown, unable or unwilling to manage the clean up, the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy (MOE) may assume the role. The updates below reflect the Ministry’s oversight of the spillers’ actions; details describe the spill response phase, only, and not the complete lifecycle of the spill. See More Information for other related reports.
Updates are in reverse chronological order, with the most recent at the top. Industry-specific language may be explained in the Glossary of Terms (PDF).
Most Recent Update
August 16, 2018 - 11:10 am
The tug was re-rigged this morning and has been lifted out of the water. The current plan is to pump the water from the void spaces of the tug onto barges before towing the tug upstream where it can be lifted from the water. When it is lifted out of the water fuel offloading and vessel repairs will take place.
Operations are expected to move slowly today to preserve the focus on safety and allow for adjustments as needed.
The waste management plan and a sampling plan are being updated today as responders gather more information from the field. A Canadian Coast Guard overflight is planned for today as well.
(The George H. Ledcor tug, righted and lifted out of the water. Photo courtesy of Ledcor Group - August 16, 2018 - 11:10 am)
Previous Updates
August 15, 2018 - 7:20 pm
The tug was successfully righted today, but remains partially submerged. Vessel salvage operations were paused this evening to allow for adjustment of the rigging, arrival of a barge to contain water pumped from the tug, and finalizing details with the facility that will be receiving the tug.
Shoreline Cleanup & Assessment Technique (SCAT) teams surveyed high-priority shoreline segments earlier today. A light sheen was observed on the water downstream from the tug site on the south side of the Fraser River. No sheen was observed on the north side.
A small amount of sheen was noted on the shore at McDonald Beach Park at the waterline. SCAT teams determined it was a light surface sheen and no clean up action is necessary as the sheen is expected to dissipate naturally. The location will be monitored to ensure this natural breakdown occurs. SCAT teams will continue to survey shoreline segments near the incident site tomorrow.
Canadian Coast Guard and Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) will continue to have vessels on scene overnight to monitor the effectiveness of the containment boom and provide any necessary adjustments.
A waste management specialist with B.C. Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy will be on scene tomorrow to evaluate the effectiveness of the waste management plan. Salvage operations are planned to resume in the morning.
The next update will be provided when new information is available.
August 15, 2018 - 12:20 pm
On-water operations are underway to right the tug. Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) is on scene providing additional protective measures.
A small release of fuel occurred during the righting. This was expected and can occur during vessel salvage operations. The release happened within the containment boom and is reported to be recoverable. The amount is unknown at this time.
Shoreline Cleanup & Assessment Technique (SCAT) teams have deployed to shorelines on both sides of the Fraser River. SCAT teams will document whether any product has reached the shore, and if so, how it could be impacting the shoreline environment.
The next update will be provided when new information is available.
August 15, 2018 - 10:05 am
Response crews worked overnight to complete the rigging necessary to prepare the tug for righting and towing this morning. The work completed yesterday by divers to close the vents on the vessel appears to be holding as there was little sheen visible on the water this morning.
The larger crane arrived on site this morning and is being set up. The tug will be righted and brought to the surface later today.
Shoreline Cleanup & Assessment Technique (SCAT) teams are being organized to walk the beaches near the incident site this afternoon. SCAT teams will document whether any product has reached the shore, and if so, how it could be impacting the shoreline environment. Another overflight of the incident scene is expected to occur later today as well.
Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
(Containment boom around the sunken George H. Ledcor tug in the Fraser River - Photo courtesy of Canadian Coast Guard, August 14, 2018)
August 14, 2018 - 5:30 pm
Underwater crews surveyed the tug, plugged the fuel vents and stemmed the release of diesel from the George H. Ledcor tug today. An overflight this afternoon following the underwater work showed a substantial reduction in the amount of diesel on the water's surface. The tug is expected to be righted and removed from the site tomorrow morning.
The Environmental Emergency Program and the Canadian Wildlife Service conducted a wildlife survey of the area today. There is no indication of impact to wildlife at this time.
An Incident Command Post (ICP) will be established tomorrow morning to oversee incident operations. The four responding Environmental Emergency Response Officers (EEROs) from BC Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy will be a part of the ICP when it is established.
Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) began using a skimmer this afternoon and continues to collect soiled sorbent pads. WCMRC will continue to maintain the containment boom overnight, replacing sorbent pads as needed. Additional WCMRC resources are en route to the incident site tonight to provide protective measures during the lifting operation tomorrow.
A waste management expert from B.C. Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy is developing a waste management plan to ensure collected materials are disposed of properly. The Environmental Emergency Program is also assembling Shoreline Cleanup & Assessment Technique (SCAT) teams to survey the shoreline tomorrow.
The Port of Vancouver and Marine Traffic Control Services are notifying mariners of a go-slow zone in the area to prevent wake that can cause damage to boom.
The next update will be provided as soon as new information is available.
August 14, 2018 - 9:05 am
Boom and sorbent pads continue to be used to contain diesel fuel on the water's surface around the capsized tug. Response officers from B.C. Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy arrived at the site to assist in the response.
*Please note: 22,000 L is the carrying capacity of the tug's fuel tank. This does not mean the tank was full or that its contents have completely spilled. The amount spilled is being assessed at this time.*
The responsible person, Ledcor Group, is working on a plan to right the tug. Federal and provincial partners are working together to identify and plan for environmental sensitivities in the area.
August 14, 2018 - 6:15 am
A tug boat, George H. Ledcor, carrying approximately 22,000 L of diesel, has capsized near Deering Island, in the north arm of the Fraser River.
*Please note: 22,000 L is the carrying capacity of the tug's fuel tank. This does not mean the tank was full or that its contents have completely spilled. The amount spilled is being assessed at this time.*
Canadian Coast Guard has boomed the area around the vessel and two additional tugs were on site early this morning to stabilize the George H. Ledcor. Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) is also on site, deploying absorbent pads.
A National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) plane overflight is scheduled at first light this morning (August 14, 2018).
B.C. Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy is deploying resources to the incident and will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.