Residents and sailors in Chester, Nova Scotia have raised concerns regarding a diesel spill caused by a US pleasure yacht that docked in the town’s harbor last week.
The Canadian Coast Guard reported that, last Thursday, the 90-foot yacht Victory had a vent pipe leak, which left the surface of the harbor’s water with a viscous rainbow slick. The spill also produced a strong odor, which curtailed afternoon yacht club sailing school classes and swimming activities.
Keith Laidlaw, deputy superintendent of the coastguard’s Atlantic Region, told The Chronicle Herald that the spill should completely disappear in time for Race Week later this month.
“Diesel oil spreads very quickly,” Laidlaw explained, but he also added that most of the oil that leaked out of the craft was quickly absorbed by the absorbent pads placed around the vessel.
“They recovered most of what they spilled and the rest dissipates relatively quickly, with the tides flushing the harbour,” he assured.
“It’s nothing awful and it will soon be gone with wave action and wind and rain,” commented Chester Yacht Club Commodore John Curry.
The Chronicle Herald reported that the Victory quietly slipped away Friday morning without leaving word.
“I never spoke to them. There was no apology,” Curry noted.
Laidlaw stated that he did not know if a fine for the leak would be issued. CBC contacted the federal Department of Environment, but the agency has yet to determine if the owner of the damaged vessel will be fined.
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