Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Calgary spilled approximately 30,000 liters of fuel while transiting the Straits of Georgia in the morning of February 24.
The F76 type fuel leaked in the vicinity of traffic lanes off British Columbia and was reported to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt and Environment Canada.
The frigate and crew were underway for basic single ship readiness training (BSSRT) following a five-month refit, when the spill occurred.
The Navy’s Maritime Forces (Pacific) command said it was coordinating with Environment Climate Change Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada and BC Emergency Management to respond to the spill.
Maritime Forces (Pacific) further said an investigation to determine the cause of the spill was underway.
According to the Canadian Department of National Defence, the fuel response is still in its initial stages. As the situation progresses, it will become clearer as to the timeline for any required spill clean-up.