A huge Russian container ship with hundreds of tonnes of bunker and diesel fuel has lost power and is drifting off the west coast of Haida Gwaii,The Canadian Coast Guard says the ship was incapacitated in gale force winds early today.
Eleven people are on board, and Canadian Forces officials say a helicopter was dispatched to remove the ship’s captain, who was injured.
A tugboat from Prince Rupert, is set to arrive by early Saturday morning and various agencies are working together to revive the ship’s engines and prevent the vessel from hitting the shoreline, with some reports suggesting the ship could reach the shore at about 9:30 tonight.
19 Wing Comox crews have assisted in the operation.
