Globe and Mail, Sep. 02, 2010
A fuel tanker loaded with 9 million litres of diesel fuel has run aground in the Northwest Passage, Canadian coast guard officials confirmed Thursday.
The Canadian-registered vessel, named 'Nanny,' hit a sandbar Wednesday in the area near Simpson Strait, Nunavut. It was carrying supplies to Northern communities.
Transport Canada said it is aware of the grounding and will follow up with the ship's owner, Saint-John-based Coastal Shipping Limited, to make sure it is complying with the Canada Shipping Act and the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act.
"Transport Canada has not received any reports of damage to the tanker or leakage of fuel from the vessel," spokeswoman Melanie Orlowski said in an e-mailed statement.
She added that the tanker is carrying 9360 cubic metres of fuel.
"The Department will also monitor salvage-related activities to ensure safety and any potential environmental issues are addressed," she went on to say. Should the company fail to comply with any of the rules, Transport Canada said it will take action.
It's the second time in a week that a ship has run aground in the Northwest Passage area. On Aug. 28, the passenger vessel Clipper Adventure hit bottom about 60 nautical miles east of Kugluktuk.
