| 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’ bulk carrier that sank in 1968, has started to release oil.The situation escalated over (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 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. 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 — upwelling is estimated at 1–4 L per hour.Daily preventative actions are being taken to contain the immediate threats and prevent long-term damage to the environment. The incident public website is live. CCG has ongoing scheduled Transport Canada National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) overflights of the area. Drone operations continue. Large amount off-shore boom has been placed to assist with heavy fuel oil containment. South of the wreck site deflection booming has been set up. Seven GRS booms have been implemented across ecologically sensitive areas. Impact to wildlife has been minimal to date. Two SCAT teams have been deployed and are currently surveying 100km of shoreline near the wreck site. |
| Incident Priorities |
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| Agencies Involved |
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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.
- MCTS Marine Mammal Desk will begin to send Marine Mammal Sightings and Observations to Planning Section and Ops Section. (2021-01-22) (for more info on Marine Mammal Desk)
- GRS checks completed. (2021-01-22)
- SCAT team at Santa Gertrudis today. (2021-01-22)
- Staging barge moved from Mooyah Bay to north of Gore Island. (2021-01-20)
- Contractor deployed an additional buoy at the north end of the containment. (2021-01-20)
- Transport Canada inspector at staging barge today for inspection. (2021-01-20)
- Staging barge anchored in Mooyah Bay. Barge manager currently setting up communications and office space. Transport Canada inspection of barge tomorrow. (2021-01-19)
- On-going GRS checks and containment boom checks throughout the day. (2021-01-19)
- CCGS Tully departs Nootka Sound. (2021-01-18)
- Viking (ODAS) buoy has been deployed. (2021-01-18) (for more info on ODAS Buoy)
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.
- No significant updates today. (2021-01-22)
- No significant updates today. (2021-01-19)
- On-site staging barge expected to leave Gold River dock today by 1500. (2021-01-18)
AIR OPERATIONS
Summary: Weather within the steep mountains that surround Nootka Sound continue to challenge aerial observations. The incident is using both fixed and rotary wing manned aircraft to provide real-time observations to ground crews. Transport Canada’s National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) is able to quantify and outline the on-water oil. This information is then used to support recovery operations and future trajectory modelling. In addition to manned aircraft, Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) teams from CCG and industry remain on scene to support individual task forces.
- No significant updates today. (2021-01-22)
- No NASP overflight today. (2021-01-18)
BOOM IN PLACE
| Coordinates | GRS Location | Length of Boom (feet) | Length of Boom (metres) |
| 49°38.49’N, 126°31.27’W | Ewin Inlet | 550 | 168 |
| 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 | 2650 | 801 |
| 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 | 250 | 76 |
| 49°36.14’N, 126°37.06’W | Santa Gertrudis Cove | 800 | 243 |
| 49°38.15’N, 126°30.56’W | Upwelling Site Deflection | 1000 | 305 |
| Total Deployed | 6450 | 1959 |
OIL RECOVERED
(oil product recovered is mixed with salt water and/or organics)
| SOURCE | Amount |
| M/V Schiedyk | None |
| Surface Oil | Jan 18: 55 bags & 2 super sacks
Jan 21: 28 bags |
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.
- A humpback whale was observed in the containment area for approximately 30 minutes. Whale left the area and travelled south-west. (2021-01-22)
- Focus Wildlife survey from Jan 20 to 21: 6414 birds of 40 species have been detected. No observations of oiled birds. (2021-01-22) (for more info on Focus Wildlife)
- Grieg Seafood has joined EU. (2021-01-22)
- Oil sampling test results indicate oil is similar to historical Bunker “C” type. Oil shows signs of physical weathering and has lost most of its volatiles and some semi-volatiles and the oil shows no signs of biological or oxidative weathering. (2021-01-22)
- Triox has completed the Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Technique (SCAT) reconnaissance survey. Last segments looked at no oil observed. Six monitoring stations were established. (2021-01-22)
- Focus Wildlife nearing the end of their assessments. No oiled birds identified. (2021-01-20)
- Sea Otter observed heading into main containment area. (2021-01-19)
- Humpback whales observed off Yuquot and Resolution Cove. (2021-01-19)
- Focus Wildlife have yet to identify any oiled birds during any of their assessments. (2021-01-19)
- Triox – SCAT Teams – continue their reconnaissance of Nootka Sound. Last segments looked at no oil observed. (2021-01-19)
- 877 individual birds observed on Jan 15 and 881 individual birds observed on Jan 16 from Focus Wildlife Migratory Bird Impact Assessment Survey. (2021-01-18)
- Marine Mammal Rescue observed two Sea Otters yesterday close to the containment boom, not observed in sheen. Total of 82 Sea Otters observed in Nootka Sound during the survey. (2021-01-18)
- Lone orca was observed adjacent to the site. (2021-01-18)
| Wildlife Observations (accumulative from December 10, 2020) | ||
| Wildlife Species | Verified Impacted | Observed |
| Sea Otter | 1 | 1 in the immediate area (2021-01-13).
92 in the larger area. |
| Great Blue Heron | 1 | |
| Harbour Seal | 1 | |
| Stellar Sea Lion | 1 | |
| Baleen Whale | 5 Humpbacks
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| Orca | 6 | |
ASSIGNED RESOURCES:
Vessels:
- ETV ATL EAGLE – On Water Branch Director
- CCGS Moorhen (RHIB)
- CGE 750 (PRV III)
- CGE 668 (PRV III)
- MCI Landing Craft “SeaTruck1” with Drone
- DFO Vessel “Marine Mammal Response”
- WCMRC – Cortes Sentinel
- SNRC Hydra Vessel (Strategic) with Drone (WCMRC Contracted)
- “Rapid Warrior” Tug (CCG Contracted)
- Grieg Seafood Contracted Vessel and assist Tug “Nelson Mac”
- Focus Wildlife “Focus 1”
Equipment:
- Current Buster 2 (NOFI) – Anchored in “Helipad Bay”
- Triton 20 Skimmer – on CGE 668
- RO Boom: 3300ft
- GP Boom: 1200ft
- Total Boom Deployed to Field: 7,450ft
- GRS: 6450ft
- Deflection: 1000ft
- Total Boom Disposed of: 2000ft