Vessel Incident Napier Point
Last updated on February 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 | February 19, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Name | DGIR: 250648 |
| Source | Fishing vessel |
| Nearest Community | Bella Bella, B.C. |
| Spilled Content | Fuel and debris |
| Who is involved |
Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), Environmental Emergency Branch (EEB), Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV), Heiltsuk Nation, Heiltsuk Marine Emergency Response Team (MERT) |
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
February 20
A Unified Command has been established to oversee the incident and to ensure an appropriate response. Unified Command is being led by four Incident Commanders, representing the Canadian Coast Guard, Ministry of Environment and Parks, Heiltsuk Nation, and the vessel owner.
In addition to the containment boom that was deployed around the vessel yesterday, the Heiltsuk Marine Emergency Response Team has deployed secondary boom as a preventative measure.
Saturated sorbents are being removed from the containment boom as required.
Shoreline assessments are being conducted today by the Heiltsuk Marine Emergency Response Team to determine the extent of sheening.
Western Canada Marine Response Corporation has been contracted by the vessel owner and is now on-site with vessels, equipment and personnel.
A plan is in development for the removal of the vessel from the marine environment early next week.
A Navigational Warning has been issued requesting mariners to minimize wake in the area.
Further updates will be made when more information is available.
February 19
The Environmental Emergency Branch (EEB) is aware that the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) received a report around 3:15am this morning that the 58 foot fishing vessel Western Gambler had grounded near Napier Point, about three kilometers south of Bella Bella.
The vessel began to list and CCG Bella Bella lifeboat station crew was tasked to assist. The CCGS Cape Farewell and CCG Bella Bella Fast Rescue Craft arrived on-scene and rescued the four fishermen onboard. No injuries were reported.
The Western Gambler then capsized and appears to be leaking, as there was some initial sheening and other debris on water.
Earlier this morning, the local Heiltsuk Marine Emergency Response Team responded and deployed containment boom around the vessel. They also deployed deflection boom along the shorelines and to protect the McLoughlin Bay hatchery.
A Unified Command has been established to oversee the incident and ensure an appropriate response.
The owner of the fishing vessel is actively involved in the response.
Further updates will be made when more information is available.