ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö

• An emergency and drone restriction zone of 1 nautical mile remains in place in the area of the MSC Baltic III for the protection and safety of responders and the public.
• No activity unrelated to salvage operations is permitted within the restriction zone.
• For more information:

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• Since the afternoon of April 11, a total of six small tar balls have been found on a beach near the site of the MSC Baltic III grounding. No other pollution has been observed.
• As of April 21, one frac tank on the deck of MSC Baltic III was successfully emptied and the oil transferred to the barge.
• Bad weather in the area is delaying heating and pumping operations, but they will continue as soon as weather permits.
• The ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö continues to remain on-site and is working with the salvage company to ensure contaminants are removed from the vessel as quickly and safely as possible.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• While conducting a scheduled shoreline survey on the afternoon of April 11, a small tar ball was found on a beach near the site of the MSC Baltic III grounding. On April 12, two additional small tar balls were located on the beach.
• The tarry substances, which are approximately the size of tennis balls, have been collected for analysis to determine the source. No other oil has been observed on the water or shoreline.
• On April 13, an underwater survey was conducted, and no signs of oil were observed.
• On water and shoreline surveys continue.
• Heating and pumping oil into tanks on the deck of the MSC Baltic III have resumed. When weather permits, the barge will go alongside the grounded vessel where oil will be transferred to tanks on the barge.
• The ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö continues to remain on-site and is working with the salvage company to ensure contaminants are removed from the vessel as quickly as possible.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö crews continue on-water and shoreline assessments of the MSC Baltic III site. No pollution has been observed at this time.
• Ongoing tank soundings have reduced the original estimate of heavy fuel and marine gas on the vessel from 1710 Metric Tons to 1600 Metric Tons.
• The heating and pumping of the fuel has started and will continue, as weather and sea conditions allow. To date, 184 cubic metres of fuel has been pumped into frac tanks onboard the MSC Baltic III.
• MSC plans to pump the fuel from the frac tanks onboard the MSC Baltic III to frac tanks onboard the barge for removal from the site. This is because once the frac tanks onboard the vessel are full, they will be too heavy to lift onto the barge.
• The fuel isn't being pumped from the MSC Baltic III directly into the frac tanks on the barge because the heating and pumping of the fuel is a time-consuming process and requires the barge to be alongside the vessel for an extended period of time. This is challenging with the weather and sea conditions in the area.
• Weather and sea conditions continue to hamper some operations. Environment and Climate Change Canada has installed a mobile weather station at the site to help provide improved weather service in the area.
• Floating docks have been installed to accommodate ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö assets to reduce vessel congestion in the area.
• The ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö maintains oversight of the operations to ensure a reasonable and appropriate response as there is still an on-going risk that pollution could enter the marine environment.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• Land and on-water assessments of the MSC Baltic III continue with no pollution observed at this time. However, there is still an on-going risk that pollution could enter the marine environment. Regular monitoring and assessments will continue until this incident is fully resolved.
• Weather conditions allowed for some on-water access to the MSC Baltic III. The salvage company continues equipment preparations for oil heating and transfer operations.
• The tug and barge, contracted by MSC, were able to go alongside the MSC Baltic III to load some frac tanks and a containment boom onboard the vessel. The frac tanks will be used to store and offload the fuel.
• The containers containing the polymeric beads, which are considered dangerous goods, were removed from the vessel.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• On Friday, March 7, a media briefing was held to update on the current operations at the site of the Baltic III.
• As indicated at that time, it’s difficult to predict how long this operation will take. Our priority is the safety of Canadians, first responders, and the protection of the marine environment and mitigation of hazards. We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of the local community during this time.
• The ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö’s role is to review the plans, provide oversight, and make recommendations to ensure the response is reasonable and appropriate. We have established an incident command post in the Lark Harbour life boat station. Currently on scene are 14 response crew, a 26-foot pollution response vessel (PRV) and Rosborough vessel, as well as the CCGS Jean Goodwill providing support as required. We also have onsite a response trailer, 4 Medium Haulers, Medium-High Speed Sweep, two deck tanks, 800 meters of Ro-boom, all-terrain vehicles, and 14 clump weights (anchors).
• Sea conditions continue to hamper on- water operations. ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö crews continue to assess the MSC Baltic III from the shoreline and by air. No pollution has been observed.
• MSC has put forward options to remove fuel and cargo from the vessel, both by sea and land. A combination of these options may be used.  These options include the use of a tug and barge along with portable tanks, as well as possible ground transportation through upgrades and extensions of the road to provide access to the MSC Baltic III. If the road is constructed, it would also help alleviate the impact sea conditions have on removal operations.
• The salvage company is mobilizing the necessary equipment to heat and remove the heavy oil from the fuel tanks, and they indicated that the shipboard cranes are operational and can be used to offload the cargo.
• The emergency and drone restriction zone that was in place for the protection and safety of responders in the area and the public has been reduced from 2 nautical miles to 1 nautical mile to account for the salvage contractors’ current operational footprint.
• We recognize there are concerns about the impacts of increased on-water traffic on the fishing industry. We are exploring options to decrease these impacts, including installation of floating docks for Coast Guard assets to lessen congestion in the area.
• Again, we appreciate the continued understanding and cooperation from the public in support of a safe, effective and efficient response to this incident.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• Our priority is the safety of Canadians and the protection of the marine environment; by helping to prevent the release of pollution into the environment and mitigating the potential hazards posed by this vessel.
• ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö crews continue to assess the MSC Baltic III from the shoreline and by air. No pollution has been observed.
• CCG maintains a high level of preparedness to respond to any potential hazards or pollutants entering the marine environment, and the CCGS Jean Goodwill remains on scene with spill response equipment onboard and is providing assistance as required.
• Sea conditions continue to hamper some on the water operations.
• There are discussions ongoing about the possible development of a road to allow easier access to the vessel. If implemented, this would also help alleviate the impact sea conditions have on removal operations.
• The manifest provided by the owner of the MSC Baltic III, indicates that the cargo contains some materials listed as dangerous goods. These includes things such as fabrics, food products, metals and polymeric beads.
• The salvage team is continuing their assessment of the MSC Baltic III, as sea conditions allow, and are developing the salvage plan.
• Given the vessel’s current condition, it cannot be safely refloated. The initial focus will be on the removal of the fuel and cargo.
• We appreciate the continued understanding and cooperation from the public in support of a safe, effective and efficient response to this incident.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö crews continue to assess the MSC Baltic III from the shoreline and by air. No pollution has been observed.
• An assessment of the hull confirmed significant breaches or holes are present. The vessel appears to have settled firmly on the seabed, and is stable at this time.
• Tank soundings have confirmed approximately 1.7 million litres of heavy fuel and marine gas oil onboard the vessel. No pollution has been observed.
• The CCGS Jean Goodwill remains on scene with spill response equipment onboard and is providing assistance as required.
• Sea conditions hampered some operations over the weekend including the ability to safely access the vessel.
• The salvage team is continuing their assessment of the MSC Baltic III as sea conditions allow. It includes further tank soundings and inspections of cargo holds.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö crews continue to assess the MSC Baltic III from the shoreline and by air. No pollution has been observed.
• 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.
• Sea conditions continue to hamper some operations including the ability to deploy response equipment.
• The salvage team is continuing their assessment of the MSC Baltic III as sea conditions allow.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö 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.
• 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.
• The salvage team was able to safely board the MSC Baltic III and are continuing their assessment.
• Sea conditions continue to hamper some operations including the ability to deploy response equipment.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• The CCGS Ann Harvey arrived on scene on Monday, February 17. Weather hampered activity in the early part of the day. When weather improved, they launched their Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) for a visual assessment of the vessel. No pollution was observed.
• The owner of the MSC Baltic III continues to be cooperative and responsive. We have been advised that the vessel contains approximately 470 containers, over half of which are empty. The others contain items such as food, lumber, and paper supplies. We are still trying to confirm the amount of diesel onboard
• A drone restricted area has been established around the grounded cargo ship MSC Baltic III as we have helicopters conducting operations in the area. Drone operators should not conduct any flight operations within 2 nautical miles in the area of the MSC Baltic III to ensure there’s no conflict between aviation assets and drones. Drone pilots must follow the and respect all other laws when flying a drone.
  

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• With the crew rescued, the focus shifts to assisting with the salvage effort, and marine environmental and hazards response.
• Weather in the area continues to be a factor as we work to assess the situation and determine the next steps.
• ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö crews and Eastern Canada Response Corporation representatives are establishing a staging area in Lark Harbour, NL.
• An emergency zone (2 nautical miles) has been established around the incident area to facilitate operations and support marine safety.
• Additional ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö crews and equipment are en route. The CCGS Jean Goodwill will transit to the site from Canso, NS as weather permits and the CCGS Henry Larsen is standing by in Corner Brook, NL to facilitate operations.
• Overflights to assess the situation are expected to take place today, pending weather conditions.
• The owner of the MSC Baltic III has been cooperating and responsive, and a team from the salvage company contracted by the owner are expected in the area today to assess the situation.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

• On Saturday morning, February 15, the Marine Communications and Traffic Services in Port aux Basques received a MAYDAY from the cargo ship MSC Baltic III located approximately 12 nautical miles outside the entrance to Bay of Islands, NL. The vessel reported a loss of power.
• Weather and sea conditions in the area are unfavourable and the vessel was unable to secure an anchor and ran aground in Wild Cove west of Lark Harbour.
• There were 20 people on board. All crew have been safely airlifted from the vessel by a Cormorant helicopter.
• ÍæÔ˲ʼ´Ê±±È·Ö is working closely with our response partners.
• The cause and extent of the incident are not yet known.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.