US-based tug boat sinks in Heiltsuk waters!
(Photo above by: Ian McAllister/Pacific Wild)
In the wee hours of October 13th, the Nathan E. Stewart, a tug and US-based diesel barge, ran aground just north of Bella Bella.
While the barge has been secured and towed to safety, the tug sank late on the morning of the 13th. Of the 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board, less than 7,000 gallons were pumped before the tug went down. Subsequent efforts to recover fuel from the sunken tug are ongoing. Community members have been on scene from dawn to dusk every day to lay booms and assist with cleanup efforts. The lag in early response and difficulties with coordination and weather have created ripple effects resulting in ongoing complications with fuel recovery. Heiltsuk have been vocal about marine shipping issues and the hazards posed by vessels of this nature. Community members have made it clear that a spill was inevitable - it was only a matter of time. Tragically, the community has been proven right. Press Release from Heiltsuk Nation on October 13th, 2016 - Tanker Barge Runs Aground in Great Bear Rainforest
Support Heiltsuk Efforts in Diesel Spill
Please consider helping Heiltsuk with the costs of conducting our own investigation into the diesel spill. Your contributions will cover the costs the Kirby Corporation does not.
While the barge has been secured and towed to safety, the tug sank late on the morning of the 13th. Of the 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board, less than 7,000 gallons were pumped before the tug went down. Subsequent efforts to recover fuel from the sunken tug are ongoing. Community members have been on scene from dawn to dusk every day to lay booms and assist with cleanup efforts. The lag in early response and difficulties with coordination and weather have created ripple effects resulting in ongoing complications with fuel recovery. Heiltsuk have been vocal about marine shipping issues and the hazards posed by vessels of this nature. Community members have made it clear that a spill was inevitable - it was only a matter of time. Tragically, the community has been proven right. Press Release from Heiltsuk Nation on October 13th, 2016 - Tanker Barge Runs Aground in Great Bear Rainforest
Support Heiltsuk Efforts in Diesel Spill
Please consider helping Heiltsuk with the costs of conducting our own investigation into the diesel spill. Your contributions will cover the costs the Kirby Corporation does not.
Fuel Spill Updates from Heiltsuk Tribal Council
Nathan E. Stewart is lifted from Heiltsuk waters, now the real work begins! - Nov 15, 2016
After having polluted Heiltsuk waters for over a month, the Nathan E Stewart is at last out of the water. Let us be clear however, the work is far from complete. In the coming days, the shoreline cleanup phase of work will commence, and is expected to continue for weeks and potentially months. The Heiltsuk Nation will also continue to survey the lasting consequences that this incident has had on our local and traditional food supply. Meanwhile half a world away, Premier Christy Clark was in Buckingham Palace, accepting an award for the work she's apparently done to protect the Great Bear Rainforest. We invite the Premier to live up to that accolade; work with us to prevent this type of incident from ever happening again, and don't forget about the Heiltsuk people that this incident has affected. Footage of wreck from Global BC here.
Check out Heiltsuk Tribal Council for further information about the fuel spill in Heiltsuk waters.
Recent Media:
Nov 19, 2016 - Humpback whale found dead near Klemtu, B.C., says aquaculture company (CBC)
Nov 16, 2016 - Clark promotes Great Bear Rainforest in U.K. while First Nations battle oil spill (Globe and Mail)
Nov 15, 2015 - Bella Bella residents frustrated by premier's trip to Buckingham Palace (CBC)
Nov 15, 2016 - Nathan E. Stewart is lifted from Heiltsuk waters, Now the real work begins says Chief (Coastal First Nations)
Nov 15, 2016 - Sunken tug near Bella Bella raised from waters (Global News)
Nov 14, 2016 - Tug the spilled 110K litres of fuel lifted from sea floor near Bella Bella (CBC)
Nov 14, 2016 - Sunken tug near Bella Bella expected to be raised today (Global News)
Nov 13, 2016 - Sunken tug to be lifted Monday: Heiltsuk First Nation (CBC)
Nov 12, 2016 - Environmental impact of sunken tug to be shared after investigation completed ( The Times Colonist)
Nov 10, 2016 - Heiltsuk Nation Angered by Federal Agencies' Information Hoarding (Heiltsuk Blog)
Nov 6, 2016 - Heiltsuk Nation still feeling effects of B.C. tugboat sinking (Globe and Mail)
Nov 6, 2016 - Transport Canada Minister Marc Garneau visits diesel spill near Bella Bella, BC (CBC)
Nov 6, 2016 - In Photos: Heiltsuk contend with tug-boat spill near Bella Bella (Globe and Mail)
Nov 4, 2016 - #ComeToBellaBella: Heiltsuk issue challenge to Justin Trudeau after diesel spill on B.C's North Coast (CBC)
Nov 4, 2016 - The sinking of the Nathen E. Stewart (Globe and Mail)
Nov 1, 2016 - Spilled oil isn't all recoverable, damage is painful (The Vancouver Sun)
Oct 27, 2016 - Calls for fisheries minister to see Bella Bella first hand (CHEK)
Oct 26, 2016 - In Photos: Bella Bella Diesel Fuel Spill Two Weeks In (DeSmog Canada)
Oct 24, 2016 - Bella Bella Oil Spill Called 'An Environmental Disaster' (Huffington Post)
After having polluted Heiltsuk waters for over a month, the Nathan E Stewart is at last out of the water. Let us be clear however, the work is far from complete. In the coming days, the shoreline cleanup phase of work will commence, and is expected to continue for weeks and potentially months. The Heiltsuk Nation will also continue to survey the lasting consequences that this incident has had on our local and traditional food supply. Meanwhile half a world away, Premier Christy Clark was in Buckingham Palace, accepting an award for the work she's apparently done to protect the Great Bear Rainforest. We invite the Premier to live up to that accolade; work with us to prevent this type of incident from ever happening again, and don't forget about the Heiltsuk people that this incident has affected. Footage of wreck from Global BC here.
Check out Heiltsuk Tribal Council for further information about the fuel spill in Heiltsuk waters.
Recent Media:
Nov 19, 2016 - Humpback whale found dead near Klemtu, B.C., says aquaculture company (CBC)
Nov 16, 2016 - Clark promotes Great Bear Rainforest in U.K. while First Nations battle oil spill (Globe and Mail)
Nov 15, 2015 - Bella Bella residents frustrated by premier's trip to Buckingham Palace (CBC)
Nov 15, 2016 - Nathan E. Stewart is lifted from Heiltsuk waters, Now the real work begins says Chief (Coastal First Nations)
Nov 15, 2016 - Sunken tug near Bella Bella raised from waters (Global News)
Nov 14, 2016 - Tug the spilled 110K litres of fuel lifted from sea floor near Bella Bella (CBC)
Nov 14, 2016 - Sunken tug near Bella Bella expected to be raised today (Global News)
Nov 13, 2016 - Sunken tug to be lifted Monday: Heiltsuk First Nation (CBC)
Nov 12, 2016 - Environmental impact of sunken tug to be shared after investigation completed ( The Times Colonist)
Nov 10, 2016 - Heiltsuk Nation Angered by Federal Agencies' Information Hoarding (Heiltsuk Blog)
Nov 6, 2016 - Heiltsuk Nation still feeling effects of B.C. tugboat sinking (Globe and Mail)
Nov 6, 2016 - Transport Canada Minister Marc Garneau visits diesel spill near Bella Bella, BC (CBC)
Nov 6, 2016 - In Photos: Heiltsuk contend with tug-boat spill near Bella Bella (Globe and Mail)
Nov 4, 2016 - #ComeToBellaBella: Heiltsuk issue challenge to Justin Trudeau after diesel spill on B.C's North Coast (CBC)
Nov 4, 2016 - The sinking of the Nathen E. Stewart (Globe and Mail)
Nov 1, 2016 - Spilled oil isn't all recoverable, damage is painful (The Vancouver Sun)
Oct 27, 2016 - Calls for fisheries minister to see Bella Bella first hand (CHEK)
Oct 26, 2016 - In Photos: Bella Bella Diesel Fuel Spill Two Weeks In (DeSmog Canada)
Oct 24, 2016 - Bella Bella Oil Spill Called 'An Environmental Disaster' (Huffington Post)