Dear editor:
After a relative thimble full of bunker fuel oil is released in English Bay, we saw finger pointing and media babble by our politicians — and little evidence of Mr. Harper’s “world class” cleanup system.
What are the “rules” and fees for “parking” these vessels in English Bay? Who has the authority to ask questions or board the vessels if necessary?
I recollect that the suspected ship’s captain, at first denied responsibility for the bunker release.
We hear that the owner of a passing small sailboat noticed an oil slick and notified officials. The oil likely was leaking for some time. Was the captain negligent in not calling local harbour officials immediately?
Our leaders would have shown better leadership and with “cooler heads,” together, prepared a well thought-out response, to the public, admitting shortcomings — but not derogating those who scrambled to get this mess under control. Fortunately, this was not “the big one” that Kinder Morgan assures us will never happen.
Our leaders, all, should collaborate to convince Mr. Harper that Kinder Morgan should not build their twinned pipeline, as proposed, and move the project out of Burrard Inlet to a more remote, less threatening location — before it’s too late.
Cleanup crews were deployed soon after being contacted by the Coast Guard — thank you.
Carl Shalansky
North Vancouver
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