Barge Incident Bella Bella
Last updated on November 20, 2025Disclaimer:
- Information provided is based on reports received by Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR)
- Information provided is considered to be current at the time of posting, but is subject to change
Incident description
| Incident Date | November 18, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Name | DGIR: 254448 |
| Source | Barge |
| Nearest Community | Bella Bella, B.C. |
| Spilled Content | N/A |
| Who is involved |
Dunlap Towing, Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV), Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), Transport Canada (TC), and Heiltsuk Nation Marine Emergency Response Team. |
Response phase details
The responsible person or spiller is legally required to cleanup or manage the cleanup of a spill.
In incidents where the responsible person is unknown, unable or unwilling to manage the cleanup, the Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV) may assume the role.
The updates below reflect the ministry’s oversight of the spillers’ actions. Details describe the spill response phase only and not the complete lifecycle of the spill. Visit the 'More information' page for other reports.
Updates are in reverse chronological order with the most recent at the top.
Industry-specific language may be explained in the Glossary of Terms (PDF, 106KB).
Most recent updates
November 20
The Environmental Emergency Branch (EEB) is aware that barge Berring Trader began taking on water near Bella Bella on November 18. Berring Trader was being pulled by tug Malolo.
On November 19, Berring Trader was moved to Port John harbour, to keep it safe from predicted wind.
Berring Trader is being monitored. No pollution has been observed. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and Heiltsuk Marine Emergency Response Team remain on site.
On November 19, a coordination call with CCG, Heiltsuk Nation, EEB, and the responsible person, Dunlap Towing, was held.
A salvage tug and barge are on route from Washington State, anticipated to arrive November 20.
EEB continues to monitor the situation.
Further updates will be provided when more information becomes available.