Oil spill near Nanaimo B.C. ferry terminal raises concerns

Oil Spill Near Nanaimo’s Duke Point Ferry Terminal Raises Environmental Concerns

An oil spill reported near Nanaimo, B.C.’s Duke Point Ferry Terminal has raised concerns for the local marine environment and wildlife.

The City of Nanaimo stated in a briefing note that staff were first notified of the spill on the afternoon of January 5. They found a storm drain near the ferry terminal with oily residue.

According to staff, the spill came from a private business that handles used oil and battery recycling in the nearby industrial park.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Environment reported that a Transport Canada flight estimated between 350 and 1,600 litres of oil sheen was on the water between Duke Point and Mudge Island.

Resident Jackie Wasyluk observed the spill’s effects nearly three kilometres away at Cable Bay. She noted a “very strong diesel smell” there on Tuesday.

“I was shocked because where [the spill] is, is an ecologically sensitive area,” said Wasyluk, who leads the advocacy group Save Cable Bay. “It’s also full of marine life and birds. There were ducks swimming in that exact spot.”

Nanaimo Councillor Ben Geselbracht mentioned that city staff informed councillors that the Environment Ministry is leading the cleanup operations.

“It is worrisome having this type of quantity released in the ocean — and so I would expect a fulsome investigation to occur,” he said.

In the city briefing note shared with CBC News, officials said that shipbuilder Seaspan initially believed the spill originated from them.

Seaspan operates a commercial ferry service out of Duke Point. Nanaimo city staff reported that Seaspan sent a diver to inspect the spill and later deployed an oil boom and absorbent pads, which may have helped mitigate the spill.

A Seaspan spokesperson stated that the Environment Ministry asked them to deploy the containment boom. “The spill did not originate from the Seaspan terminal or any Seaspan vessels,” the spokesperson added, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to assist with the response.

The Environment Ministry spokesperson confirmed that cleanup is underway and no additional oily material has been observed outside the boom.

They did not specify if the commercial operation where the spill originated would face any penalties. Nanaimo city staff noted that the private company has engaged an environmental consultant to conduct the cleanup operation.

Summary of Oil Spill Incident