DOWNSIDE UP AGAIN

A tugboat that capsized in the Fraser River on Monday night was partly raised on Wednesday. Crews have removed about 600 litres of diesel fuel from the water.

Salvage crews partly raised a sunken tug from the Fraser River on Wednesday and were aiming to have it floating.

A photograph provided by a spokesman for the Ledcor Group showed the vessel sitting rightside up and partly submerged in the water as of 4:30 p.m.

A larger crane and barge, along with specialized crews, had to be brought in to help bring the George H. Ledcor tug from the bottom of the river.

Coast guard spokesman Dan Bate said initially the tug was to be lifted Wednesday morning, but that was delayed until slack tide.

The tug, operated by Ledcor, was hauling a loaded gravel barge when it went down Monday night, although the cause of capsizing is still unclear.

The vessel has the capacity to carry 22,000 litres of diesel fuel, but Bate said it’s unclear how much was in its fuel tank. Bate said the flow of the fuel release slowed significantly after the divers capped the fuel tanks.

Ledcor spokesman David Hoff said in an emailed statement that divers sealed the fuel tanks Tuesday afternoon and as much as 600 litres of fuel had been recovered from the site so far.

Hoff said two cranes are positioned above the vessel and crews are working on rigging to secure the tug for the lift.

An update by the Canadian Coast Guard said its vessels stayed at the scene through the night and will remain while salvage efforts are underway.

Absorbent pads and booms surround the tug and Ledcor has contracted Western Canada Marine Response Corp. to clean up as much fuel as possible.

Bate said diesel is considered to be a lighter fuel and can evaporate quickly.

“It’s quite common for the strong smell of diesel in the area as this evaporation takes place.”

The Transportation Safety Board said a team of investigators is gathering information to assess the incident.

The board investigates marine occurrences to advance transportation safety, but does not assign blame or determine civil or criminal liability.

BEN NELMS/THE CANADIAN PRESS

NICK PROCAYLO Salvage crews work to raise a sunken tugboat, the George H. Ledcor, in the north arm of the Fraser River off Fraser River Park on Wednesday. The tugboat capsized while hauling a gravel barge Monday night.