Capsized tugboat spills diesel fuel into Fraser River, prompting beach closures

by Craig Takeuchi on August 14th, 2018 at 5:40 PM

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After a tugboat overturned in the Fraser River last night, beaches have been closed and recovery crews have been responding to the situation.

A Ledcor Marine tugboat carrying diesel fuel capsized between 10 and 11 p.m. on August 13 near Deering Island on the north arm of the Fraser River in South Vancouver.

The Canadian Coast Guard reported that no one was injured and a containment boom was put in place, in addition to sorbent pads to contain the spilled fuel.

The approximately 20-metre boat, which had the capacity to carry up to 22,000 litres of fuel, has since been moored upside down at Sea Island, according to CBC News.

The Canadian Coast Guard and City of Vancouver environmental crews are assessing the situation. Divers and a salvage crane were also on site.