The operator of the MV Ancier has been penalized for a fuel leakage incident that occurred at Charlottetown Harbour in the past, as revealed by CBC News. The former passenger ferry, previously known as CTMA Vacancier, served the route between the Magdalen Islands and Montreal for 17 years. On January 14, 2024, the vessel stopped at Charlottetown Harbour before heading to India for dismantling.
During refuelling, a portion of the fuel spilled into the harbor, prompting immediate containment and cleanup actions. Local residents in the vicinity reported detecting a strong fuel odor in the Hillsborough River and observing an oily film on the water and ice.
The MV Ancier faced three violations under the Canada Shipping Act, leading to a fine of $17,850 imposed on its owner. Transport Canada records indicate that the vessel was sanctioned for discharging a regulated pollutant and for failing to adequately document and report prohibited discharges.
Following the spill, inquiries were made by CBC News to various federal agencies to ascertain the details of the incident, the volume of fuel leaked, and the recovery efforts. Although some information was disclosed, the exact quantity of fuel released from the ship remained unconfirmed by the government.
Upon submitting a federal access to information request, CBC News received an extensive dossier of 840 pages, including details on the fuel spill incident. Aerial assessments conducted on January 17, 2024, identified approximately 150 liters of diesel sheen on the water surface. The Canadian Coast Guard reported around 167 liters of non-recoverable fuel sheening on January 19, 2024.
Official documents revealed a potential release of 1.3 metric tonnes (equivalent to 1,530 liters) of fuel, with a discrepancy of two metric tonnes (2,353 liters) between the fuel company’s records and those of the vessel. Despite initial references to the fuel as dyed marine gas oil, it was later identified as diesel in the documents.
Sierra Club Canada, an environmental nonprofit organization, emphasized the immediate concerns associated with diesel spills in water bodies due to their toxic nature, particularly harmful to aquatic life. The spill raised worries within the P.E.I. Shellfish Association regarding the impact on the local oyster and quahog fisheries.
Environmental assessments conducted along the Hillsborough River shortly after the incident reported no adverse effects from the spill. Transparency and thorough investigation were stressed by environmental advocates to determine the spill’s extent, the damage caused, and the necessary compensatory measures.
Efforts to contact the Singapore-based registered owner of the MV Ancier were unsuccessful, with the company claiming no knowledge of the vessel. The fate of the vessel likely involves scrapping in India, marking the conclusion of its journey.