| Incident: | BLIGH ISLAND SHIPWRECK |
| Incident Start Date | DECEMBER 3, 2020 |
| Location: | BLIGH ISLAND, VANCOUVER ISLAND |
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Situational Overview |
As a result of a number of sightings of sheening and oiling in the vicinity of Bligh Island / Zuciarte Channel, CCG confirms that the shipwreck of the M/V Schiedyk, a 483 ft bulk carrier that sank in 1968, has started to release oil.The situation escalated between Dec 4-6, and heavy oil was observed on the water and staining rocks on the shoreline. As a result the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) contracted the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) to deploy to the area. CCG has established an Incident Command System (ICS) for this incident, with CCG as the Federal Incident Commander in this Unified command alongside BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation.Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations report that the product is seeping from more than one location and that vessel is resting hull-up in 350–400 ft (100 –120 m) of water. M/V Schiedyk was carrying approximately 1000 tons of grain and pulp when it grounded.Fuel samples have been sent to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Pacific Environmental Science Center (PESC) and Emergencies Science and Technology Section (ESTS) laboratories from forensic chemistry and fate and behavior modeling. Oil sampling test results indicate oil is similar to historical Bunker “C” type. Rate of oil upwelling is estimated at approximately 1 – 4 L per hour, with an occasional increase to approximately 11 – 13 L per hour due to weather conditions. Daily preventative actions are being taken to contain the immediate threats and prevent long-term damage to the environment. The incident public website is updated regularly. CCG has cancelled the Transport Canada National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) flight tasking of the area. Overflights will be scheduled on an as-needed basis going forward. Upwelling is being monitored via Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). Drone operations continue. Large amounts off-shore boom has been placed to assist with heavy fuel oil containment. South of the wreck site deflection booming has been set up. Geographic Response Strategy (GRS) booms have been implemented across ecologically sensitive areas. DFO Marine Mammal Rescue and Focus Wildlife are on site and have been monitoring and assessing wildlife around Nootka Sound. Impacts to wildlife have been minimal to date. Resolve Marine Group, the company who is completing the Technical Assessment (TA) at the wreck site, arrived in Nootka Sound on April 18, 2021 on the vessel Atlantic Condor. |
| Incident Priorities |
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| Agencies Involved (either in person or remote) |
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Incident Management Team (IMT): UNIT UPDATES
OPERATIONS
Summary: In-field operations to meet incident objectives are using a combination of floating, sub-sea and aerial resources. These resources provide direction daily, and conduct assignments like Aerial Observation, Protection Booming, Wreck Assessment, surface oil collection and recovery, as well as marine mammal and wildlife assessment. Operations staff are working out of Nootka Sound and Gold River, and following integrated Safety, Communications, and Logistical plans. Planning for these tactical operations is risk-based, and determined through a planning cycle. Equipment such as storage tanks/bins, consumable like Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sorbents, as well as additional equipment for contingencies, are stored at the incident staging area near Gold River. Weather, remoteness, and a consistent upwelling of oil continue to challenge in-field operations.
- Atlantic Condor conducts dynamic positioning tests, ROV wet test and site recce. (2021-04-18)
- Atlantic Condor arrives at incident site, positions in place. (2021-04-18)
- Keystone Diving in vicinity of wreck site. (2021-04-18)
- Drone operations over wreck site. (2021-04-18)
- CCG 777 vessel props replaced. Vessel operational. (2021-04-18)
- Atlantic Condor on route to Bligh Island. ETA 1600h tomorrow. (2021-04-17)
- Drone operations conducted in field today. (2021-04-17)
- Tug “Genni Bay” towed the Mack 8 barge with 4 empty waste bins from Gold River to incident site for purpose boom disposal if required. (2021-04-17)
- Props for CCG 777 vessel arrived in Gold River, vessel anticipated back in service tomorrow. (2021-04-17)
- Current Buster training with crew. (2021-04-17)
- Decontamination Training at Staging Barge. (2021-04-17)
- Simulated oil spill training with drone, drifters and vessels. (2021-04-17)
- 118kg of oily waste recovered today. More than 80% of recovered product was oiled. (2021-04-16)
- Drone operations over wreck site. (2021-04-16)
- Reservoir Dogs diving operations began. (2021-04-16)
- 1800’ lay flat boom delivered to the Atlantic Raven. (2021-04-16)
- Ro-Boom deployment from the Atlantic Raven to wreck site. (2021-04-16)
- Non-incident damage to props on CCG 777. New props being sent to site tomorrow for installation. (2016-04-16)
- Anchor stone placement underway at incident site. (2021-04-15)
- 34 shots of anchor chain transported to incident site. (2021-04-15)
- Additional chain arrived at the staging area for the Ro-Boom placement during the Technical Assessment. (2021-04-14)
- 90 kg of oily waste recovered today. Of that waste recovered, less than 80% was saturated with oils. (2021-04-12)
- Boom sticks have been moved into new location and are lit with two spar buoys. NAVWARN information to follow. (2021-04-12)
- Anchors have been loaded on the Mack 8 barge and underway back to incident site. (2021-04-12)
LOGISTICS
Summary: This incident has challenged the Incident Command Post to find innovative ways to support responders at the remote incident site while also following COVID protocols. CCG and industry have integrated to bolster the existing communication network in the area to ensure responders have a safe and dependable means to communicate with each other and the virtual Incident Command Post. By cascading private/government equipment throughout Western Canada, responders have the on-water pollution counter measure equipment required. The current lack of tourism in the area allows responders to utilize lodging that had been shut down for the off-season.
- Procuring 24 more spar buoys and lanterns to identify and light up the boomed off areas. (2021-04-16)
- The mooring chain has been procured and delivered to the site. Some chain went on a vessel out to the barge on April 14, with the reminder scheduled to be delivered to the barge on April 15. (2021-04-14)
- Getting gear prepped for transport to site in the new crew change vehicles tomorrow. (2021-04-13)
- Coordinating vessels coming alongside and using “A” dock at West Cost Marine Terminals. (2021-04-13)
- Mooring chain expected to be delivered to Gold River staging area tomorrow. (2021-04-13)
- Arranging PPE inventory and shipment for Technical Assessment. (2021-04-12)
- Chain procurement for incident site is with procurement hub with an ETA to staging area for April 16. (2021-04-12)
- CCG technicians were on-site to check on the VHF repeater. Cleaned off snow covered panels, batteries swapped out. Confirmed site is up and running. (2021-04-12)
BOOM IN PLACE
| Coordinates | GRS Location | Length of Boom (metres) |
| 49°40.58’N, 126°28.21’W | Cheesish Reserve/Tuta Marina | 290 |
| 49°40.70’N, 126°28.59’W | Cheesish Reserve NW Bay | 801 |
| 49°40.40’N, 126°28.08’W | Cheesish Reserve SE Bay | 305 |
| 49°37.42’N, 126°31.02’W | Bligh Island Gap | 76 |
| 49°38.57’N, 126°28.70’W | Anderson Point | 137 |
| Shoreline deflection | 300 | |
| Containment North | 915 | |
| RO Boom South | 800 |
OIL RECOVERED
(*oil product recovered is mixed with salt water and/or organics)
| SOURCE | Amount |
| Surface Oil* | Cumulative to April 17:
35,357.442 kg |
Environmental Unit (EU): UPDATES
Summary: All measures taken by the Incident Command Post utilize the Precautionary Approach and focused on minimizing damages and maximizing efforts. This approach to incident management relies on the Environmental Unit, which is comprised of Federal, Indigenous, Provincial and industry technical specialists and makes environmental-related recommendations to Unified Command that represents the interests of all contributing Environmental Unit members. An example of an ongoing agenda item for the Environmental Unit is the regular review and update of the ICS 232, a form that documents and prioritizes the Resources at Risk. Operations then use this prioritized list of environmental, economic and cultural sensitivities to build strategies and tactics to prevent damages. These proposed tactics are presented to the Unified Command for approval.
- Grey whale spotted north of wreck site near Cheeshish. (2021-04-18)
- Report of a potential injured whale off Nootka Light Station. No incident small craft vessels were in the area. Incident Commander tasked on-water asset to investigate. Crews cannot determine if whale is injured, visual observations cannot make that determination. (2021-04-18)
- Focus Wildlife on water. Assessment from Yuquot to Critter Cove to outer Nootka Sound. (2021-04-16)
- Herring spawn appears to be slowing down, resources can likely be reallocated soon. (2021-04-15)
- Baleen Whale spotted swimming south of containment boom, no interaction with product or containment boom. (2021-04-15)
- Wildlife Plan (version 4) submitted to Unified Command for review and approval. (2021-04-15)
- Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation conducting photo operations at numerous sites around Nootka Sound. (2021-04-15)
- Focus Wildlife testing static deterrent cannon. (2021-04-14)
- Net Environment Benefit Analysis (NEBA) meeting held today. (2021-04-14)
- Wildlife Plan (version 4) completed and will be reviewed by Unified Command tomorrow. (2021-04-13)
- Yesterday Focus Wildlife conducted 108 observations around Nootka Sound. Deterrence used at wreck location. Bird activity remains relatively low due to current levels of vessel activity. No oil observed on the water, no oiled wildlife observed and no spawning herring observed. (2021-04-13)
| Wildlife Observations | ||
| Wildlife Species | Verified Impacted (cumulative from December 10, 2020) |
Recently observed in the area near the spill site |
| Sea Otter | 1 | 95 |
| Harbour Seal | 1 | |
| Stellar Sea Lion | 1 | |
| Humpback | 7 | |
| Orca | 10 | |
| Grey whale | 6 | |
| Common Murre | 1 | 1 |
| Mew Gull | 13 | 1 |
| Barrow’s Goldeneye | 11 | |
| Common Merganser | 8 | |
| Glaucous-winged Gull | 5 | 2 |
| Surf Scoters | 155 | |
| Horned Grebe | 4 | |
| Red-necked Grebe | 29 | |
| Pelagic Cormorant | 2 | |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | |
ASSIGNED RESOURCES:
Vessels:
- Atlantic Raven – On Water Branch Director
- Atlantic Condor
- CCG 668 (PRV III)
- CCG 735
- CCG 750
- CCG 777
- DFO Marine Mammal Response RHIB
- WCMRC barge 200
- WCMRC Sentinel 33, Sentinel 32, Sentinel 31
- SNRC Hydra Vessel (Strategic)
- Tug “W. Pearce” and staging barge Miller 201 and Crane operator
- Grieg Seafood Essington II and tug AG Ford
- Tug Genni Bay and Barge Mack 8
- Focus 1
- Keystone Reservoir Dog
Equipment:
CCG:
Current Buster 2 (NOFI) – Anchored in “Helipad Bay”
Triton 20 Skimmer – on CGE 668
High Speed Sweep System
Ro-Boom: 3200m + powerpacks
Curtain Boom: 3950 ft
Layflat Boom (staged in Gold River): 3500 ft
Layflat Boom (on-site pre-packed at Mooyah Bay): 4500 ft
Breco Buoy
WCMRC:
Boom Deployed to Field: 6,350 ft
- GRS: 5,350 ft
- Deflection: 1,000 ft
- Total Boom Disposed of: 2,000 ft