The MV Ancier’s owner has received a fine for an oil spill incident that occurred in Charlottetown Harbour two years ago, as revealed by CBC News. Formerly operating as the CTMA Vacancier ferry, the vessel had a 17-year history of service between the Magdalen Islands and Montreal before being retired. On January 14, 2024, the ship made a stop at Charlottetown Harbour en route to India for dismantling.
During a refuelling operation at the harbour, a quantity of fuel was accidentally spilled into the water, prompting immediate containment and cleanup measures. Residents in the vicinity reported detecting a strong odor in the Hillsborough River and observing an oily film on the surface of the water and ice.
Subsequent investigations uncovered that the MV Ancier was found in violation of three regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, leading to a penalty of $17,850 imposed on its owner. Transport Canada records indicate that the vessel was sanctioned for discharging a specified pollutant and for failing to accurately document and report prohibited discharges.
In response to the incident, CBC News requested information from various federal agencies regarding the spill’s details, the quantity of fuel leaked, and any recovery efforts. While some information was disclosed, the exact volume of fuel released from the ship remained unconfirmed by the government.
Following a freedom of information request by CBC News, a substantial document cache of 840 pages was received, shedding light on the spill incident. Aerial assessments conducted on January 17 and 19, 2024, indicated the presence of diesel sheen on the water, with estimates suggesting a potential release of 1.3 metric tonnes of fuel. Discrepancies were noted between the fuel company’s records and the vessel’s, with the documents referencing diesel fuel despite initial government reports mentioning dyed marine gas oil.
Sierra Club Canada, an environmental advocacy group, emphasized the immediate ecological concerns posed by diesel spills in water bodies due to their toxic nature. The lightweight properties of diesel make containment and recovery challenging, with risks of contamination to soil and aquatic habitats. Despite fears raised by the P.E.I. Shellfish Association over potential impacts on local fisheries, environmental assessments conducted along the Hillsborough River showed no adverse effects from the spill.
Efforts to ascertain the exact volume of fuel leaked during the MV Ancier’s refuelling were inconclusive, with government statements referencing recovered diesel quantities and aerial observations. Attempts to contact the vessel’s registered owner in Singapore were unsuccessful, leaving the fate of the MV Ancier presumed to be consigned to scrap metal in India.
