There has been a fuel spill in the waters of False Creek near Granville Island early this morning.
The Canadian Coast Guard, along with West Coast Marine Response Corporation, Vancouver Fire Rescue, Vancouver Police are at the scene of the incident. Officials believe as much as 1,000 litres of diesel fuel has been spilled.
A 1,000-foot-long boom has been deployed in the waters to contain the spill. The spill is considered contained.
.@CCG_GCC responded to incident in #FalseCreek in #BC. Boom has been fully deployed. Working with partners. pic.twitter.com/WSN9zEwdhK
— Canadian Coast Guard (@CCG_GCC) June 15, 2015
According to Vancouver Police, the seawall has been shut down from Granville Street to 1500 West 1st Avenue. Boats are also advised to stay away from the area.
The City of Vancouver has advised residents in the area to close windows and turn off air conditioning units if they smell diesel.
Unlike heavy bunker fuel oils, gasoline and diesel are easily biodegradable and rarely persist in marine environments.
UPDATE: Officials estimate as much as 5,000 litres of diesel fuel may have been spilled. A small fishing vessel was likely responsible.
Vancouver Police have arrived to shutdown the surrounding area at False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf. pic.twitter.com/iAyBSHodbh — Greg Harper (@GS_Harper) June 15, 2015
Containment boom in place near Granville Island. No significant signs of sheen from above #FalseCreek @NEWS1130Radio pic.twitter.com/0cmodI335g
— Chad Dey (@chad_dey) June 15, 2015
Coast Guard believes the spill here in False Creek is diesel fuel. Seawall closed between Granville & Burrard. pic.twitter.com/oQYDBSNUMH
— Greg Harper (@GS_Harper) June 15, 2015