VANCOUVER — A federal marine safety official says the MV Marathassa was on its maiden voyage when it leaked bunker fuel into Vancouver's pristine English Bay.
Yvette Myers of Transport Canada says it appears there was a malfunction in the vessel, which was brand new and came out of a shipyard in February.
The bulk carrier ship constructed in Japan arrived in Vancouver on Wednesday to collect grain and was being anchored when it started leaking fuel.
The Canadian Coast Guard commissioner overseeing the spill says about 2,700 litres of oil spilled into the harbour and that about 80 per cent of it has been recovered.
Roger Girouard says officials are confident that no further fuel is being released and that booms will remain in place to control any further leaks.
The fuel spread over water and land in a purple-blue sheen and has prompted safety warnings for people to avoid downtown beaches or touch the toxic substance.
