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Barge runs aground at Quadra Island; no injuries, no signs of pollution

barge-aground-photo
A barge ran aground at Quadra Island on Saturday night. The Canadian Coast Guard posted this photo to its Twitter account on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (via Canadian Coast Guard)

A barge carrying rail cars and empty containers ran aground on Quadra Island Saturday night but there are no signs of pollution, the Canadian Coast Guard said. 

It was being towed by a tugboat and ran aground on the southwest coast of the island, north of Cape Mudge, shortly before 8 p.m. The six people on board the tugboat were uninjured and the tugboat was not damaged.

The Coast Guard initially said the owners would attempt to refloat the barge at high tide on Sunday – around 3:20 p.m. But an assessment determined the hull of the barge was compromised and the Coast Guard now says there will be no effort to move it Sunday night.  

Efforts to move the barge resumed Monday morning.

Transport Canada is overseeing a plan by the responsible party to salvage the barge. The responsible party will provide security throughout the evening and a Coast Guard ship will stay in the area overnight.

The Coast Guard said they’re working closely with the owners and Transport Canada “to ensure an appropriate response.”

Alaska Marine Lines operates the barge. 

The area is a popular dive site.

— Roxanne Egan-Elliott / Times Colonist