Loaded barge bound for Seattle sinking off central B.C. coast
Posted November 19, 2025 10:39 am.
Last Updated November 19, 2025 12:44 pm.
A barge carrying numerous cargo containers is sinking in the waters off British Columbia’s central coast.
The Canadian Coast Guard says in a statement that the tug boat Malolo was en route from Alaska to Seattle when it reported Monday that the barge it was towing was taking on water.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!The Coast Guard says divers hired by the tug owner are at the scene and trying to assess the why the barge is taking on water, and the Heiltsuk Nation’s marine emergency response team is also there.
The Heiltsuk Nation says in a statement that one side of the barge has been “compromised and continues to take on water, and the barge is being pumped to keep it afloat.”
Photos of the listing barge show more than 200 containers, stacked four and five high, along with some vehicles on top.
There are currently no signs of pollution from the sinking barge.
“Heiltsuk crews are monitoring the barge around the clock, and protective booms have been put in place to protect important ecological and cultural features, including three nearby salmon creeks.”
It says the vessel was moved to safe harbour overnight.
“This ongoing marine emergency shows once again that coastal First Nations are ground zero for the dangers of marine accidents, including oil spills, and we shoulder the burden of risk of expanded marine traffic”
The Coast Guard says pollution response equipment is on standby in case it is needed for any cleanup.
In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, the provincial Ministry of Environment and Parks says its Environmental Emergency Branch is aware of the situation, monitoring it, and will support the response effort if required.
The Heiltsuk Nation says reports of the Alberta and federal governments collaborating on a new oil pipeline project that would compromise the ban on oil tankers along B.C.’s west coast could “not come at a worse time.”
“A tanker ban is not a ban if it includes exceptions,” the nation stated.
“All it would take is one oil spill to destroy our way of life.”
