Maritime rescue officials say a U.S. barge with millions of litres of diesel fuel onboard has become stranded off the coast of Bella Bella, B.C.
The vessel, which the Joint Rescue Co-Ordination Centre in Victoria (JRCC) has not identified, broke free from the tugboat which pushes it from behind around 3:45 p.m. PT Sunday.
Crews have dropped the vessel’s anchor and JRCC officials confirm it is not moving.
The boat is located about 1.6 kilometres from the Goose Group islands and 45 kilometres from Bella Bella.
The JRCC says the vessel is carrying 3.5 million litres of diesel along with 468,000 litres of gasoline.
One Canadian Coast Guard vessel has arrived to help, while three other tugboats which were nearby when the barge broke free are also on the scene.
Officials say a plan is being devised to move the vessel.
Members of the Heiltsuk First Nation are anxiously watching what happens.
last time I was glued to the VHF like this it was the start of six weeks of emergency phase hell with NES. my heart can’t take a repeat. <3
—@heiltsukvoice
Last fall, the vessel Nathan E. Stewart ran aground near Bella Bella and leaked as much as 110,000 litres of diesel fuel into the ocean.
The First Nation has been critical of how authorities handled the spill in its territory.