A North Coast environmental group is concerned about the number of anchor dragging incidents by ships in Prince Rupert harbour.
The T. Buck Suzuki Foundation report entitled “Anchor Safe Prince Rupert” found that the number of incidents where an anchor fails to hold in high wind, putting a vessel at risk of running aground, has increased over the last number of years.
The foundation says the rate has grown from an average of one dragging incident in 2000 to an average of seven annually in the last few years, with Transport Canada reporting eleven in 2017.
Luanne Roth with the group says they are concerned that the proposed Vopak petroleum fuels project at Ridley Island would see more traffic and larger vessels, increasing the risk of spills related to anchor dragging.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority says it typically sees an average of one to one and a half anchor drag incidents a year for the past 15 years.
The port’s VP of Public Affairs and Sustainability Ken Veldman says wind events have seen that number increase to more than usual over the past three or four years.
Veldman says the port is scheduled to review its anchorages this year to look at ways to quantify and mitigate any potential risks.
The T. Buck Suzuki Foundation is scheduled to present its report to Prince Rupert City Council Monday.
