A barge loaded with 45,000 litres of fuel that ran aground in Surge Narrows is safely in port at Campbell River.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Esquimalt was advised at 1:58 on Wednesday that a tug and barge had run aground in Surge Narrows, 22 kilometres northeast of Campbell River between Quadra and Maurelle islands.
The barge was carrying the reported 45,000 litres of fuel in two tanker truck trailers and other tanks onboard the barge, according to Coast Guard spokesperson Dan Bate.
“The Campbell River Lifeboat was immediately tasked and once on-scene, assisted with dewatering/refloating operations,” Bate said. “The barge was refloated off the rocks and additional pumps were brought onboard to keep up with the water ingress.”
The vessel owner and Coast Guard officials were on scene to monitor progress. Crews on site reported no signs of pollution at any time, Bate said.
The barge was moved at slack tide around 8:30 p.m. and escorted by the Coast Guard ship M. Charles M.B. to Campbell River. Once there, the two tank truck trailers and other tanks were removed.
“CCG took quick action to reduce the potential of a serious release,” Bate said. “No injuries occurred and no pollution was released into the environment at any time.”
