Salvors Suspend Operation to Refloat Grounded 'Arca 1' Tanker in Nova Scotia

The Panama-flagged MV Arca 1 aground off Sydney, Nova Scotia, Sunday January 8, 2017. Photo: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

The Canadian Coast Guard is continuing to monitor the environmental response and salvage of the grounded Arca 1 bunkering tanker off Sydney Mines in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

An update from the Coast Guard on Tuesday said the hull of the vessel remains intact and no pollution has been observed around the vessel. The update said a tow line has been attached to the vessel and deballasting was underway.

Weather on scene Tuesday was calm.

Salvors were expected to use tugs to pull the vessel free, possibly as soon as the next high tide.

Update (7:19 p.m. EST) – The Coast Guard says the towing operation been suspended until next the weather window and high tide. It said it is working with Transport Canada to review options with the salvors concerning the vessel.

The MT Arca-1 pictured aground off Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, January 10, 2017. Photo: Transport Canada — The MT Arca-1 pictured aground off Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, undergoing de-ballasting operations, January 10, 2017. Photo: Transport Canada

The Panama-flagged Arca 1 ran aground Sunday morning after experiencing engine failure while underway from Port of Montreal to Mexico. All six crew members were airlifted from the vessel on Sunday.

A salvage team was able to board the vessel late Monday to make preparations to tow the vessel off the beach.

The 1,317 dwt tanker, which has been used to re-fuel other ships at the port of Montreal, has approximately 15 tonnes of fuel on board, a spokesman for the Canadian Coast Guard told CBC News on Sunday. The vessel is not believed to be carrying any bunker fuel as cargo.

Initial Report: Bunkering Tanker Arca 1 Aground in Nova Scotia