Source of fuel spill at English Bay isolated, contained: Transport Canada

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Mechanical problems with pipes and valves on the Marathassa appear to be the cause of the English Bay fuel spill.

That problem would have simply meant a mess inside the ship, says Yvette Myers with Transport Canada. But then something else happened on the MV Marathassa:

“Because the oil had spilled into the duct keel… there was oil inadvertently discharged,” she explains.

“The investigation is ongoing. We need to do a thorough analysis. But we’ve found the source and it’s been completely contained,” she adds.

Transport Canada says the initial 2,700 litre spill estimate is “conservative” and more bunker fuel than first thought could have ended up in the water.

As for the wildlife implications, Environment Canada says it has confirmed that 15 to 20 birds have been affected by the spill.

Coast Guard Commissioner Jody Thomas continues to defend the response to the spill, describing it as “excellent.”

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