English Bay in Vancouver has long been a popular destination for both the region’s residents and visitors for water-based recreational activities, crab trapping and sunset watching.
While Vancouverites are still several weeks away from flocking to the beaches to bask in summer weather, today’s bunker fuel oil spill incident has residents wondering what exactly is bunker fuel – the substance that was spilled into the waters by a cargo ship carrying grain.
The City of Vancouver was only alerted by the federal government about the spill 12 hours after the fact, which is a major cause for public safety concern. A public warning was not issued until this morning.
Officials believe 2,800 litres of oil was released into the waters, and as of late Thursday afternoon about 1,400 litres have been recovered.
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What is bunker fuel?
Bunker fuel is a residual oil left over during the crude oil refining process – the leftover substance during the production process to create diesel and gasoline.
The oil is used to run combustion systems required to generate electricity, such as the diesel power systems on ocean vessels. Other recommended uses for bunker fuel include boilers and furnaces.
The substance is one of the heaviest and densest oils available. The only substances more dense than bunker fuel are carbon black used to manufacture tires and bituminous residue for asphalt pavement.
When the oil is mixed into bodies of water, it tends to spread rather than retain as a single oil slick – breaking into tar balls or patches. Between five to 10 per cent of the substance, the lighter hydrocarbons, will evaporate into the air hours after the release while the remaining quantities will often sink.
Health hazards
According to marine fuel oil data by Shell, bunker fuel is highly carcinogenic and toxic. These are the possible health hazards of being in contact with bunker fuel:
- Harmful if inhaled
- Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
- May cause damage to organs or organ systems through prolonged or repeated exposure (particularly the blood, thymus and liver)
- May cause cancer
The substance may also contain hydrogen sulphide in liquid or vapour form, which could be fatal if inhaled.
Bunker oil is deemed “very toxic” for aquatic life and seabirds and possesses long lasting negative effects.
Throughout the day, police and park rangers have been stationed at the downtown beach areas to keep the public from going into the water.
The Vancouver Aquarium has offered its services in monitoring the effects of the oil spill on aquatic species in the area. It is preparing a rapid response team to ensure affected seabirds and marine mammals receive the urgent treatment they may require.
The Marathassa, highlighted in red, is responsible for the oil spill.
Update: The substance spilled in Burrard Inlet is bunker fuel. Boater & watercraft alert: fuel is toxic, do not touch. #VanFuelSpill
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) April 9, 2015
Heavy bunker fuel spill in Burrard Inlet. Wind may push oil to shore. Coast Guard & police vessels are on way to site. #VanFuelSpill — City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) April 9, 2015
The oily substance topping the waters of English Bay covers a wide area @News1130radio pic.twitter.com/Nrd1x9dja5
— Chad Dey (@chad_dey) April 9, 2015
It appears fuel may be leaking from one of the cargo ships anchored in English Bay. Still unconfirmed @News1130radio pic.twitter.com/g8P1ehP0UY — Chad Dey (@chad_dey) April 9, 2015
Oil slick in English Bay now. pic.twitter.com/pEGXZcNaWT
— David (@Igottherunz) April 9, 2015
Minor oil spill in English Bay apparent on Sunset Beach. Traces in water lapping on shore. Sticky residue on my hand pic.twitter.com/j7360bqp8R — Mike Lloyd (@llikemoyd) April 9, 2015
Some troubling images of the fuel spill from @yvrnewsphotog in #Chopper9. #EnglishBay @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/Y6OVXa1C4V — Sheila Scott (@Sheila_Scott) April 9, 2015
City probing delayed response to #EnglishBay #VanFuelSpill http://t.co/pMyiFYWwmE And @pmharper wants more tankers! pic.twitter.com/bxPnqBfNFZ
— AFreeMansLife (@AFreeMansLife) April 9, 2015
Fuel coming ashore in #EnglishBay. #Vancouver #vanfuelspill pic.twitter.com/8J8AgLMsJy — Matt Jacques (@MattJacques) April 9, 2015
Oil can be seen topping the waters around English Bay this morning @News1130radio #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/Xm6j1DlmFa — Chad Dey (@chad_dey) April 9, 2015
“Minor” oil spill at #EnglishBay http://t.co/Un2FSFPzmm #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/Q5vcmjcarC via @News1130radio — Alex Pope (@mapleridgealex) April 9, 2015
Oily sheen at water’s edge and on sand at English Bay as crews work to contain and clean “minor” spill. Very sticky pic.twitter.com/qMuBlpJWVZ — Mike Lloyd (@llikemoyd) April 9, 2015
Oil spill in English Bay, from my living room window. Details: http://t.co/Zv7uL0rzLP pic.twitter.com/FEXzLGaYk9 — Ryan Frederick (@ry5n) April 9, 2015
Looks closely and you can see an oily sheen in the waters here at english bay. #cbc pic.twitter.com/lgiAT1Tt6n — Farrah Merali (@FarrahMerali) April 9, 2015
Slight oily, volatile smell as substance laps up on shore. Can see the slick stretching back out into English Bay. pic.twitter.com/7bK3xU6ynr — Mike Lloyd (@llikemoyd) April 9, 2015
Park Board Chair says Park Rangers stationed at city Beach is to keep the dogs out of the water. pic.twitter.com/aX8ovfEKry — Nafeesa Karim (@nafeesakarim) April 9, 2015
#vancouver fire boats deployed by VF&RS to assist with spill operations in English Bay. @VancouverPD and @CCG_GCC pic.twitter.com/R3AtU8W2cn — Vancouver Fire (@VanFireRescue) April 9, 2015
See fuel on or near a beach? Please contact the Coast Guard at 1 800 889 8852. #VanFuelSpill
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) April 9, 2015