Fight for cleanup aid continues years after English Bay spill
Vancouver incurred $550,000 in costs after 2,700-litre fuel mishap in 2015
Vancouver is still fighting to recover $550,000 in costs incurred by the city to clean up after the MV Marathassa spilled 2,700 litres of bunker fuel in English Bay three years ago, Mayor Gregor Robertson said on Sunday.
Vancouver’s concerns about oil tanker traffic in our harbours have been ignored, said Robertson, and he said the inadequate response highlights the dangers raised by the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.
“This is a clear example of where the federal government and the international oil tanker program is not safe, not dealing with the damages appropriately and where we have great concerns,” said Robertson.
Robertson slammed the federal Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund, which has disputed some of the costs associated with the city’s claim.
The SSOP fund was established in 1989 to act on behalf of impacted municipalities, companies and individuals in pursuit of compensation from shipowners in the event of a spill and provide additional compensation.
Robertson said the city has received an “absolutely unacceptable” offer from the Ship-source Oil Pollution fund of 27 per cent of the $550,000.
On April 6, 2018, the city filed a direct claim against owners of the Cypriot-registered vessel in Federal Court in the hopes of further cost recovery.
“Typically these ship owners are very difficult to go after when there is a spill, and the costs are never quite recovered by taxpayers, citizens and government who are paying for the impact,” said Robertson.
The lack of compensation leaves taxpayers and municipalities on the hook for costs incurred by the spill, and raises concern over what might happen in the case of a diluted bitumen spill along B.C.’s coastal waterways.
“Vancouver’s primary concern with the Kinder Morgan pipeline is the oil tankers — seven times the number will go through our harbour — and the oil spill we expect will happen over time and dramatically impact our environment and our economy,” said Robertson.
Stuart Mackinnon, chair of the Vancouver Park Board said English Bay is an “iconic spot” not just to Vancouver, but for the whole world.
“The federal government needs to step up and take responsibility for their jurisdictions,” said Mackinnon.
“We are terribly concerned about the amount of oil that will pass through here should the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion go through.”
Mackinnon said a diluted bitumen spill is not easily cleaned off rocks and sand, and would be much more difficult to remediate than the bunker oil.
“I can’t imagine what would happen in Burrard Inlet if a spill were to happen there.”
Transport Canada and representatives from SSOP were not able to respond to Postmedia inquiries on Sunday.
This is a clear example of where the federal government and the international oil tanker program is not safe.