Efforts to remove a massive cargo ship from the rocks at Lark Harbour continue, but the scope of the operation is becoming clearer.
The salvage team called in to assess the Baltic III, which ran aground near Lark Harbour on the weekend has confirmed oily water in the cargo ship’s engine room, and water in some cargo holds.
The Canadian Coast Guard says a dive team has also confirmed that 75 per cent of the vessel’s hull is resting on the seabed, and the hull is noticeably deformed.
Photo via Canadian Coast Guard
No pollution has been seen in the area
The Coast Guard ship Jean Goodwill is on scene and heavy seas continue to hamper some operations – including the ability to deploy response equipment.
The salvage team is continuing its assessment of the vessel as sea conditions allow.
The Coast Guard’s Bruce English says weather conditions at the scene are the best they’ve had in a while.
He says with water in the vessel and some of the damage observed, it’s likely that whatever fuels might be on board will have to be pumped out before any attempt is made to remove the vessel from the rocks.
“We had an overflight this morning with a helicopter” says English “again, no pollution in the water, everything is contained to the vessel.” A fixed-wing aircraft meanwhile has flown over the area, taking video of the shoreline north and south of the wreck site “just as a baseline study, to make sure we know what’s there.”
