The MV Marathassa began leaking bunker fuel on April 8, and Mayor Gregor Robertson and B.C. Premier Christy Clark have slammed the Canadian Coast Guard’s response as inadequate, though the Coast Guard has said its efforts were “exceptional.”Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press
The owners of the vessel involved in a fuel leak in Vancouver's English Bay have agreed to a $300,000 bond to ensure it appears for any future proceedings or prosecutions, Transport Canada says.
The MV Marathassa began leaking bunker fuel on April 8, and Mayor Gregor Robertson and B.C. Premier Christy Clark have slammed the Canadian Coast Guard's response as inadequate, though the Coast Guard has said its efforts were "exceptional."
Jillian Glover, a Transport Canada spokeswoman, said in an e-mail that the $300,000 undertaking is "not intended to cover the cost of the fuel discharge cleanup." Ms. Glover, who said Transport Canada's investigation continues, added that the bond does not limit how much the ship could potentially be fined if the agency takes enforcement action.
She said the vessel will soon be inspected by London-based Lloyd's Register Marine. The organization's website says it helps ensure "internationally recognized safety and environmental standards are maintained at every stage of a ship's life."
Ms. Glover said Transport Canada will then conduct a final inspection to determine that all safety deficiencies have been rectified. She said the vessel will not depart Canada until it has been determined to be in compliance with regulations and is "environmentally safe."
Jim Lawrence, a spokesman for Alassia NewShips Management, the Greece-based company that owns the Marathassa, said in an e-mail that the company is "focused on what it takes to have the vessel cleared for a return to trade and [is] working with all concerned to achieve that goal."
Mr. Lawrence, when reached by phone, said he did not know when the ship would leave the waters around Vancouver. He also said he was not aware of the $300,000 bond.
Jennifer Hunt, a spokeswoman for Port Metro Vancouver, said in an interview that the Marathassa completed loading grain at Cascadia Terminal on Wednesday morning. She said it was anchored in English Bay, awaiting clearance from Transport Canada.
The Marathassa spill was first reported around 5 p.m. by a person on a sailboat.
The Coast Guard has said it did not recognize the seriousness of the spill until around 8 p.m.
It has said a boom was secured around the vessel by 6 a.m. and that 80 per cent of the fuel was recovered within 36 hours.
The Coast Guard has estimated about 2,700 litres of fuel was spilled.
Mr. Robertson has criticized both the length of time it took to set up the boom and the fact the city wasn't notified of the spill for more than 12 hours after it was first reported.
The city had urged residents to avoid the water and beaches, though the health advisory has mostly been rescinded.
The Premier has said the Coast Guard's response was too slow.
B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak has said the Coast Guard took more than a day to assume control of the spill-response centre. The cost of the spill has not been determined. The city has hired an outside lawyer to pursue a possible lawsuit.
Ms. Glover said if there is sufficient evidence the Canada Shipping Act was contravened "the polluter may be prosecuted in court or administrative monetary penalties may be imposed."
Penny Ballem, Vancouver's city manager, last week said the company that owns the ship has a liability cap of $28-million.
The Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund, which was created and is maintained by the federal government, provides up to $162-million for damages caused by oil pollution from international shipping.