National

Barge Flips, Sinks, Weeks After Tug Runs Aground Along B.C.'s Central Coast

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Nov, 2016 12:02 PM

BELLA BELLA, B.C. — The Heiltsuk Nation in British Columbia says a barge has flipped and sunk north of the site where a tug that ran aground last month still awaits removal.

A news release from the First Nation says the barge, which was carrying gravel and sand from Seattle, Wash., to Alaska flipped Sunday evening in a channel along B.C.'s central coast.

The 37-metre tugboat that was towing the barge was still afloat Sunday night, and the four crew members were safe.

A Canadian Coast Guard spokesperson says the tug has been granted permission from Transport Canada to continue its journey north to Alaska while crews remain at the scene of the sunken 65-metre barge.

The sinking comes less than four weeks after the tugboat Nathan E. Stewart ran aground near Bella Bella, spilling diesel fuel into the water.

Sunday's incident happened near Klemtu, which is about 55 kilometres north of Bella Bella.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to make an announcement in Vancouver on Monday about how tanker and fuel spills along the West Coast will be responded to in the future.

Heiltsuk member Jess Housty, who is part of the diesel spill response team, says with two incidents involving sinking vessels, Trudeau's promised regulatory changes can't come soon enough.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Full-time Work Takes Big Hit As Canada Loses 31,200 Net Jobs In July

OTTAWA — The Canadian labour market lost 31,200 net jobs last month as the country suffered its biggest one-month drop in full-time work in nearly five years, Statistics Canada said Friday.

Full-time Work Takes Big Hit As Canada Loses 31,200 Net Jobs In July

Aboriginal Rights Not Violated By Some Prison Tests Says Federal Court Of Appeal

VANCOUVER — A panel of the Federal Court of Appeal has unanimously overturned a lower court ruling that found the charter rights of aboriginal inmates were violated by certain psychological tests.

Aboriginal Rights Not Violated By Some Prison Tests Says Federal Court Of Appeal

US, Canadian Soldiers Train In Interior Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Soldiers from U.S. and Canada have spent much of the last few weeks engaging in war games in expansive interior Alaska, with Iowa National Guard personnel playing the role of the enemy.

US, Canadian Soldiers Train In Interior Alaska

Clock's Ticking: 150 Days Until The Start Of Canada's 150th Anniversary Party

GATINEAU, Que. — Canada is 150 days away from the launch of a year-long celebration to mark its 150th anniversary.

Clock's Ticking: 150 Days Until The Start Of Canada's 150th Anniversary Party

Kathleen Wynne To Announce Health, Infrastructure Funding In Northern Ontario Tour

Wynne leaves Saturday on a weeklong visit to schools, hospitals, businesses and First Nations from North Bay to Sioux Lookout, with stops in Sudbury, Dryden, Kenora, Fort Frances, Kirkland Lake and nearly a dozen other communities.