Question Period Note: Environmental Response: Grounding of MSC ALTAIR

Environmental Response: Grounding of MSC ALTAIR

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), Canada’s Port Authorities, and the Maritime Industry work collaboratively to ensure safe and efficient navigation through Canadian waters. During an unprecedented wind event in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, the container ship MSC Altair broke free from the dock. These organizations responded immediately to ensure the crew’s safety, that there was no damage due to pollution, and to minimize any delay in port and transportation operations.

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Canadians expect a high level of prevention, preparedness and response to marine emergencies. The Government of Canada is committed to protecting mariners and the marine environment on the West Coast, including Indigenous coastal communities and surrounding waters. To continue to meet this commitment, Transport Canada and CCG are developing a long-term national approach for marine emergency towing known as the National Strategy on Emergency Towing, including recommendations on how to best meet emergency towing requirements on all coasts. The strategy will consider regional needs, the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, partners and stakeholders, and lessons learned from the Atlantic Eagle and Atlantic Raven, which are the two emergency towing vessels leased by the government and currently stationed off the coast of British Columbia.

• On November 24, 2021, the container vessel MSC Altair, while anchored in Prince Rupert Harbour, broke its lines due to an unprecedented wind event , then drifted across the harbour and ran aground;
• The ship requested a local pilot and tugs to assist.
• Less than two hours later, the Coast Guard Motor Life Boat “McIntyre Bay” reported that the vessel was refloated.
• The Coast Guard’s Emergency Towing Vessel Atlantic Eagle was tasked to assist the vessel from its position. The vessel reported to Coast Guard its intention to proceed to anchorage with the assistance of tugs, and therefore that the assistance of the Atlantic Eagle was not required.
• No pollution or mechanical issues were reported;
• With pilots onboard, and with the assistance of tug Saam Mississippi, the vessel waited the weather out and proceed to anchorage hours later.
• Under the Oceans Protection Pan, the Government of Canada is committed to increasing emergency tow capacity to aid vessels in distress and prevent potential marine incidents. Currently through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is:
o Installing towing equipment on all major Canadian Coast Guard vessels.
o Leasing two offshore vessels capable of towing large ships in distress on the West Coast
o Engaging partners to develop a national strategy on emergency towing.
• The National Strategy on Emergency Towing (NSET) will be developed with Indigenous communities and local and national stakeholders on the West Coast and across Canada. It will include comprehensive analysis, both qualitative and quantitative, that will help inform the development of sustainable recommendations on the future of towing in Canada. The NSET has a target completion date of 2024-25.

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