VANCOUVER — The federal coast guard is defending its response to an oil spill in Vancouver's harbour amid questions about how the slick washed up on beaches to the north.
An Environment Canada official has confirmed that currents, winds and tides helped move oil rapidly to West Vancouver beaches, even as the coast guard says the spill is 90 per cent contained.
Coast guard commissioner Jody Thomas says she doesn't expect the estimate of 2,700 litres of leaked bunker fuel to differ significantly as more data is collected, but notes it will take weeks to get a more precise figure.
She says the agencies involved still have a lot of work to do, adding she is confident that her organization has the resources to complete the job.
But concerns linger about the potential long-term impact of the spill almost a week ago.
Transport Canada investigators have identified mechanical problems aboard a grain carrier that leaked fuel into the harbour.
