In its latest operations report, the Canadian Coast Guard reported late yesterday that a salvage team has been able to safely board the MSC Baltic lll containership that ran aground last Saturday after reportedly losing power in Wild Cove, west of Lark Harbour. All 20 crew members were airlifted from the ship by a Cormorant helicopter.
The report said Canadian Coast Guard crews conducted both an assessment from the shoreline and an overflight of the site, and no pollution was observed.
The CCGS Ann Harvey remains on scene providing assistance as required.
But the CCGS Jean Goodwill has been delayed due to ongoing work to maintain shipping lanes through ice and will be transiting to the area as soon as operational and environmental conditions allow.
Sea conditions, notably offshore winds and ice, continue to hamper some operations – including the ability to deploy response equipment.
Bound for Corner Brook from Montreal, the vessel has approximately 470 containers on board – with over half over half empties. The loaded containers contain food, lumber, and paper supplies but reportedly no hazardous cargo.
LATE NEWS FEB. 20:
- A preliminary report from the salvage team indicates that there is an oily water mixture in the engine room and water in some cargo holds.
- A dive team is onsite and confirmed that 75 per cent of the vessel’s hull is resting on the seabed.
- A deformation in the hull of the MSC Baltic III has also been observed.
- The CCGS Jean Goodwill is now on scene with additional response equipment.
(Canadian Coast Guard photo)