Ship responsible for fuel leak in Vancouver harbour will soon be cleared to move

VANCOUVER – A ship that leaked more than 2,700 litres of bunker fuel into the waters off Vancouver almost two weeks ago will soon be given the go-ahead to dock at Vancouver’s port.

The Coast Guard says it has completed its decontamination of the MV Marathassa.

A bathtub ring of bunker fuel remains stuck to the vessel’s hull around the water line but crews say it would require chemical treatment to remove.

Before the ship can pull into the dock, crews will remove the protective boom that surrounds the ship while a pollution response team stands by in case any oil escapes.

The Marathassa will be allowed to move on its own power, but it will be escorted by an emergency response vessel. Once in port, Transport Canada will conduct a further safety inspection of the vessel.

All but two Vancouver-area beaches reopened Saturday after officials said water and sand samples showed no harmful levels of oil.