Image: Chad Dey (@chad_dey)
As reported by CBC, Vancouver’s beaches, including Kitsilano Beach, have been made no-go areas after toxic fuel leaked into the waters of English Bay on Wednesday afternoon.
Residents are being warned to avoid the beaches on both sides of the bay, despite the sunshine, and to keep their pets leashed and away from wet sand as a cleanup operation continues.
The Canadian Coast Guard said it was notified about a spill generated from an anchor point in English Bay at about 5 p.m. PT Wednesday.
Miriam Van Roosmalen, the coast guard’s B.C. regional director, said Thursday morning that it became quickly apparent that the size of the spill was larger than initially reported, and a cleanup operation was launched immediately.
The spill surrounded a grain ship – named MARATHASSA – anchored in deep water off Vancouver, said John Parker-Jervis, a spokesman for Port Metro Vancouver.
The ship was in the process of loading grain. There is no evidence of fuel spilled between the grain terminal and where the ship is currently anchored, Parker-Jervis said.
There is no estimate on the amount of fuel that has been spilled.
Last modified: April 9, 2015
The beach is not closed to the public. It was open last Friday 10 April and all weekend.
Yes. The beach has reopened since this was posted. It was closed at the time of posting: April 9.