Close X
Friday, September 20, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ship fire off Victoria shows Canada isn't prepared for marine emergencies: TSB

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 31 Jul, 2024 10:51 AM
  • Ship fire off Victoria shows Canada isn't prepared for marine emergencies: TSB

The federal Transportation Safety Board says it's concerned that gaps in Canada's preparedness for marine emergencies could pose a risk to vessels, the environment, and the health and safety of the general public.

An investigation report into the cargo spill of more than 100 containers and a fire aboard the MV Zim Kingston in October 2021 says the incident "raised questions about the availability and capability of Canadian resources" in emergencies.

The board says Canada does not have a plan to respond to events involving noxious substances other than oil, and it calls for a comprehensive guide to deal with ships rolling or tipping in stormy seas.

The report says that unlike the United States, Canada does not require prearranged plans for fire response or marine salvage, and the Canadian Coast Guard does not directly participate in putting out fires.

The Greek-owned container ship rolled and lost 109 containers overboard about 50 kilometres south of Ucluelet, B.C., spilling cargo along Vancouver Island's beaches.

Around 36 hours later, while the vessel was anchored off Victoria, a fire broke out in a container that had a hazardous chemical, which later spread to other containers.

The safety board's report says the federal government intends to create a single system to respond to all marine pollution incidents and Transport Canada is developing regulations to strengthen preparedness requirements for the industry, but that could take another four years.

"In the interim, the board is concerned that there are gaps in Canada's preparedness for marine emergencies that exceed the response capacity of a vessel's crew, posing a risk to vessels, the environment, and the health and safety of the general public," the report says.

MORE National ARTICLES

Cabinet to meet for first time since byelection loss amid speculation over shuffle

Cabinet to meet for first time since byelection loss amid speculation over shuffle
The Prime Minister's Office says the Liberal cabinet will have a brief meeting this Friday. A separate source with knowledge of the meeting who wasn't authorized to speak publicly said it was scheduled to be 20 minutes long.

Cabinet to meet for first time since byelection loss amid speculation over shuffle

Heat warnings spread in B.C. as records tumble in second heat wave for July

Heat warnings spread in B.C. as records tumble in second heat wave for July
Heat warnings have expanded across a broad swath of British Columbia, a day after temperatures reached into the low 40s in the Interior and daily heat records tumbled. Twenty-five heat alerts are in place, up from 21 Tuesday, stretching from Whistler in the southwest to the north and central coasts and deep into the Interior.

Heat warnings spread in B.C. as records tumble in second heat wave for July

B.C. pledges support for court challenge over equalization, mulls its own claim

B.C. pledges support for court challenge over equalization, mulls its own claim
David Eby says there are differences in the legal arguments B.C. would make, but the two provinces are united in the goal of reversing what he described as "perverse outcomes" from the equalization program for B.C. and Newfoundland taxpayers.

B.C. pledges support for court challenge over equalization, mulls its own claim

U.S. eases border rules for dogs from Canada as Liberals try to secure exemption

U.S. eases border rules for dogs from Canada as Liberals try to secure exemption
Health Minister Mark Holland says he's trying to convince U.S. authorities that Canadian dogs should be allowed to cross the border without restrictions.  The Centers for Disease Control is imposing new rules on Aug. 1 aimed at stopping the spread of rabies. 

U.S. eases border rules for dogs from Canada as Liberals try to secure exemption

Trudeau outlines details of $30B, 10-year fund for public transit

Trudeau outlines details of $30B, 10-year fund for public transit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says applications are now open for a national transit fund that will include money for existing transit systems so they can expand, improve and modernize. The $30-billion, 10-year Canada Public Transit Fund has been in the works for months and was in the recent federal budget.

Trudeau outlines details of $30B, 10-year fund for public transit

Man dies in Abbotsford prison

Man dies in Abbotsford prison
A man serving a second-degree murder sentence has died in an Abbotsford prison. Correctional Service of Canada says in a statement that Eugene Raymond Benoit died while in custody at the Abbotsford Regional Treatment Centre.

Man dies in Abbotsford prison