Canada’s Lack of Preparedness for Marine Emergencies Exposed by Ship Fire Off Victoria: TSB
The federal Transportation Safety Board expresses worry about deficiencies in Canada’s readiness for marine emergencies that could jeopardize vessels, the environment, and public health and safety.
An investigative study on the MV Zim Kingston’s cargo spill and fire in October 2021 highlights concerns about the adequacy of Canadian resources during emergencies.
The board notes that Canada lacks a plan to handle emergencies with substances other than oil and urges the development of a comprehensive guide for dealing with ships in stormy seas.
The report indicates that unlike the United States, Canada does not mandate preparedness plans for fire response or marine salvage, and the Canadian Coast Guard does not directly engage in firefighting activities.
The Greek-owned container ship lost 109 containers overboard near Ucluelet, B.C., spilling cargo along Vancouver Island’s beaches.
About 36 hours later, a fire broke out in a container carrying hazardous chemicals while the vessel was anchored off Victoria, spreading to other containers.
Related Stories
The safety board’s report mentions the government’s plan to establish a unified system for responding to marine pollution incidents and Transport Canada’s ongoing efforts to enhance preparedness regulations for the industry, a process that may span up to four years.
“In the meantime, the board is apprehensive about the existing gaps in Canada’s marine emergency preparedness, exceeding the capacity of a vessel’s crew and posing risks to vessels, the environment, and public health and safety,” the report states.
