Safety Incidents
• On Nov 18, 2009 the Hebei Lion dragged its anchor and ran aground between Mayne, Pender and Saturna Islands.
• It was carrying 1.5 million gallons of fuel oil.
• Fortunately with the rising tide it was pulled safely off the reef by a tug.
• The tug from Neah Bay, Washington State. The ONLY tug on the west coast capable of handling ships of this size. This situation continues
to exist today.
• A 228-metre bulk carrier ran aground 15 kilometres off of Ridley Island, Prince Rupert, in July 2014.
• The Amakusa Island was shifting position from berth at Ridley Terminals to its assigned anchorage shortly after 10 p.m. on July 12 when it became
grounded.
• From 2004 to 2013 there were 31 shipping incidents involving bulk carriers and oil/ore carriers on the west coast of Canada according to TSB
statistics. This includes four major incidents in the second half of 2012.
• Feb 1 – Hanjin Scarlet dragged it’s anchor in Cow Bay anchorage F.
It did not run aground. However we will never know how close we were to an emergency situation or what damage was done to the ocean floor.
Given the narrow confines of Cowichan Bay a ship that loses its anchor could, subject to conditions, run aground in about one minute.
• It was carrying 1.5 million gallons of fuel oil.
• Fortunately with the rising tide it was pulled safely off the reef by a tug.
• The tug from Neah Bay, Washington State. The ONLY tug on the west coast capable of handling ships of this size. This situation continues
to exist today.
• A 228-metre bulk carrier ran aground 15 kilometres off of Ridley Island, Prince Rupert, in July 2014.
• The Amakusa Island was shifting position from berth at Ridley Terminals to its assigned anchorage shortly after 10 p.m. on July 12 when it became
grounded.
• From 2004 to 2013 there were 31 shipping incidents involving bulk carriers and oil/ore carriers on the west coast of Canada according to TSB
statistics. This includes four major incidents in the second half of 2012.
• Feb 1 – Hanjin Scarlet dragged it’s anchor in Cow Bay anchorage F.
It did not run aground. However we will never know how close we were to an emergency situation or what damage was done to the ocean floor.
Given the narrow confines of Cowichan Bay a ship that loses its anchor could, subject to conditions, run aground in about one minute.