| SITREP | |
| 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. Initial assessments determining the rate of oil upwelling per hour have been revised with new estimates based on waste management metrics. 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. Five Geographic Response Strategy (GRS) booms have been implemented across ecologically sensitive areas. DFO Marine Mammal Rescue are on site and have been monitoring and assessing wildlife around Nootka Sound. Impacts to wildlife have been minimal to date. |
| 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 Raven will be departing March 22 until March 26. There will be no large fleet vessel as On Water Branch Director (OWBD) on-site during this time. OWBD will be taken over by the Moorhen for this period. (2021-03-19)
- Cypress Creek Logging completed an assessment of the boom sticks and will be making their recommendations for repairs. (2021-03-19)
- Brecco Buoy has been activated for bird deterrence at the wreck site. (2021-03-19)
- Drone is conducting overflight of wreck site today. (2021-03-19)
- Cypress Creek Logging is at the wreck site assessing boom sticks. (2021-03-18)
- No waste collection today due to small volume of product in containment area. (2021-03-18)
- DFO has closed the Nootka Sound area to commercial harvesters due to low herring stock on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It is expected that First Nations harvest will continue as expected. (2021-03-16)
- Sheen was observed heading in the direction of the Bligh Island Gap, boom in place is preventing it from entering that area. (2021-03-16)
- Drone overflew Resolution Bay, Yuquot, Strange, Santa, and Saavedra Islands. No signs of herring. (2021-03-16)
- Debris (pine needles) covered in product observed on either side of the boom at the Bligh Island Gap. (2021-03-16)
- No waste collection today, very little product in the containment boom today. (2021-03-16)
- North end of the old boom sticks are broken apart, this is not a new break but a follow up with Cypress Logging is recommended. More work on the boom sticks is likely still needed. (2021-03-16)
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.
- Ongoing coordination of contracts, and mobilization of equipment to the staging area. (2021-03-19)
- A second office space arrived at staging area. (2021-03-15)
BOOM IN PLACE
| Coordinates | GRS Location | Length of Boom (feet) | Length of Boom (metres) |
| 49°40.58’N, 126°28.21’W | Cheesish Reserve/Tuta Marina | 950 | 290 |
| 49°40.70’N, 126°28.59’W | Cheesish Reserve NW Bay | 2450 | 747 |
| 49°40.40’N, 126°28.08’W | Cheesish Reserve SE Bay | 1000 | 305 |
| 49°37.42’N, 126°31.02’W | Bligh Island Gap | 550 | 168 |
| 49°38.57’N, 126°28.70’W | Anderson Point | 400 | 122 |
| Total Deployed | 5350 | 1632 |
OIL RECOVERED
(oil product recovered is mixed with salt water and/or organics)
| SOURCE | Amount |
| Surface Oil | Cumulative to March 19: 31,207.233 kg (2021-03-19)Note: a crane operated from the staging barge is providing measurements of oil and oily debris recovered by weight. Number of bags/super sacks will no longer be used. |
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.
- Brecco Buoy is in place and being used for deterring birds in the area of the wreck. (2021-03-19)
- Third round of SCAT photo monitoring complete. No changes in oiling conditions observed. Next window of opportunity begins March 31. (2021-03-16)
- A complete marine mammal survey of Nootka Sound was conducted. No whales were observed. (2021-03-16)
| Wildlife Observations (cumulative from December 10, 2020) | ||
| Wildlife Species | Verified Impacted | Observed in the area near the spill site |
| Sea Otter | 1 | 95 |
| Harbour Seal | 1 | |
| Stellar Sea Lion | 1 | |
| Baleen Whale | 6 Humpbacks | |
| Orca | 10 | |
| Grey whale | 4 | |
| Blue Heron | 1 | |
| Common Murrelet | 1 | |
| Marbled Murrelet | 4 | |
| Mew Gull | 12 | 16 |
| Barrow’s Goldeneye | 12 | |
| Glaucous-winged Gull | 5 | 16 |
| Gulls (mixed species) | 350 | |
| Cormorant | 700 | |
| Bald Eagle | 60 | |
| Wolf | 2 | |
ASSIGNED RESOURCES:
Vessels:
- Atlantic Raven – On Water Branch Director
- CCGS Moorhen (RHIB)
- CCG 750 (PRV III)
- CCG 668 (PRV III)
- DFO Vessel “Marine Mammal Response”
- WCMRC – Sentinel 33
- WCMRC barge 200
- SNRC Hydra Vessel (Strategic)
- Tug “W. Pearce” and staging barge Miller 201 and Crane operator
- Cypress Creek Logging
- Sand Buoy Chief
Equipment:
CCG:
Current Buster 2 (NOFI) – Anchored in “Helipad Bay”
Triton 20 Skimmer – on CGE 668
RoBoom: 3300 ft
Curtain Boom 1200 ft
WCRMC:
Boom Deployed to Field: 6350 ft
- GRS: 5350 ft
- Deflection: 1000 ft
- Total Boom Disposed of: 2000 ft