A series of intense storms have battered the Baltic III grounded near Lark Harbour leading to increased fears that the vessel may break apart before salvage efforts are completed.

The massive cargo ship ran aground beneath the cliffs in Cedar Cove last February.

The vessel’s owners have brought in a salvage company to oversee the clean up and removal process, but weather is once again proving to be a challenge as winter approaches.

The Canadian Coast Guard is keeping a close eye on developments in the area and Bruce English says the latest storm to strike the area late last week, had a dramatic impact on the vessel.

Bow and stern were moving independently of each other

He says the crack in the vessel’s hull is getting wider and during last week’s storm the “bow and the stern were moving independently of each other throughout the weather event Thursday and Friday.” He says crews are now trying to assess the vessel internally to see if there is any further damage.

As of late last month, all of 1,700 cubic metres of bulk oil and various types of fuel and hydrocarbons have been removed from the vessel and the environment, and four of six tanks that contained the “heaviest and dirtiest of the fuel” have been flushed.

Shoreline inspections after the most recent storm showed no signs of pollutants, but with more storm systems on the way, concerns are mounting about whether or not the ship will remain intact.

More intense weather in the forecast

“It looks like winter on the west coast,” says English. “We’ve got bad weather coming this afternoon and into tonight and tomorrow in excess of 100 km of wind, and I believe there’s another storm or wind event coming for Friday.”

“So, we’re right into that season…we’re working with the response organizations to ensure that if the weather window presents itself, and there is a release or anything, we’ll be prepared to respond, or the salvage company will be.”