Vancouver oil spill: Coast Guard defends cleanup response time
Canada News
Vancouver oil spill: Coast Guard defends cleanup response time
As cleanup continues in English Bay following Wednesday's oil spill, the Coast Guard is responding to harsh criticism about their handling of the situation. A statement from Coast Guard Commissioner Jody Thomas claimed, "the Canadian Coast Guard's response to the Marathassa spill was exceptional by international standards." She says that 80 per cent of the spill was "not only contained, but was recovered within 36 hours." Both Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and B.C. Premier Christy Clark harshly criticized the Coast Guard's response, saying it took too long to contain the spill.
There were a number of human factors where the intent to get the word out either broke down or even when the conversation occurred, the understanding of what the situation was or the import just failed in the relay.
Coast Guard Assistant Commissioner Roger Girouard on a communication breakdown with Robertson
Fewer birds have been exposed to oily water than originally thought — about a dozen birds are being cared for but all seem to be in good shape, Girouard said. "I'm told they are lively and doing fine." Scientists were also looking to assess any longer term effects, gathering data in preparation for water tests.
