BREAKING: Oil Barge Loose in Hecate Straits: Another Nathan E. Stewart Disaster in the Making?

American ATB tanker, "Jake Shearer," fully loaded with 10,000 deadweight tons of oil product, appears to be in trouble 

by Ingmar Lee - 10,000 Ton Tanker

November 26, 2017

There appears to be an EMERGENCY developing in in Hecate Straits, just off the Goose Group. The American ATB tanker, "Jake Shearer," fully loaded with 10,000 deadweight tons of oil product, appears to be in trouble about 2 nautical miles south of the Goose Islands.

Reports say that it has lost all power, and is adrift. It is currently blowing 50 knots in Hecate Strait.

Canadian Coast Guard ship, "Gordon Reid" tasked and is steaming towards the stricken vessel via Fitzhugh Channel and Hakai Pass at 15 knots

Update: 17:27 CCG 47', "Cape St. James" underway in Lama Pass at 19 knots

Update: 19:02

I have an unconfirmed report that the "Jake Shearer" has managed to get 2 personnel onto the drifting oil barge, and that they have been able to deploy 2 anchors.

They are currently about 1/2 mile off the Gosling Rocks With the CCG ship Gordon Reid fast approaching...

Update:  19:34

The "Jake Shearer" is now circling its stricken, loaded 10,000 deadweight ton oil barge about 1/2 mile off the Gosling Rocks.

It is reported that 2 personnel from the tug were able to get onto the barge and have deployed 2 anchors with approx 1000 ft of cable. The CCG "Gordon Reid" is nearly there. Nevertheless, this remains an extremely precarious and dangerous situation...

Update: 22:57

It's a terrifying, busy night for the crew of the "Jake Shearer" as they continue circling their stricken oil-tanker barge. The barge, with 2 crew members aboard, is now anchored, with 1000 ft of anchor line, a stones throw from the Gosling Rocks. It's blowing and there are heavy seas. The CCG vessels, "Gordon Reid" and "Cape St. James" are on scene, but are helpless to offer a tow.

The American tug, "Norma H," currently anchoring its own barge in Rivers Inlet, has apparently been tasked to assist, but is about 6 hrs away.

Although it would be expected that the Prime Minister himself has been notified, there is no sign whatsoever that any of Canada's "World Class" spill response service, the "Western Canada Marine Response Corporation" has been tasked or is on its way. If that anchor lets go, and that barge runs aground, 1/4 of the spill volume of the Exxon Valdes willrun amok all over the Goose Islands and Hecate Strait.