And from one environmental concern to another - last week we told you about Loewen's Barge - a vessel that caught the attention of Placencia residents after it was seen releasing some sort of substance into the water. The owner of the barge, Albert Loewen, told us that it was not oil as some has suspected, but rather exhaust from the diesel engine. He also claimed he had gotten clearance from the Department of Environment for the exhaust, which he said was not harmful for the environment. At the time, we could not get a confirmation from DOE but today, the Head of the Enforcement Unit, Celi Cho, explained that this isn't the first time they've received complaints about the barge and they had instructed Loewen to get it fixed before using the vessel. Here's what she told us via Zoom today:
Celi Cho, Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Enforcement Unit, DOE
"We had first gotten a report back in February about the vessel and one of our officers along with the personnel from the BPA had conducted an inspection on the vessel and when they did that, they found out that one of the engine is not functioning properly and as well when it's operating, the exhaust pipe is in a position that's so close to the surface of the water that when the soot is coming out, the emissions, it mixes with the water and so that's what creates the film that people were seeing. And so that was back in February and at the time the owner was given instructions to repair the engine and so then we got another report last week which the Port Authority had responded to once again."
"They found out that the same situation was happening, the engine wasn't repaired, and they have since either issued or will be issuing a prohibition on sail for the vessel."
Courtney Menzies:
"He claims that the exhaustion doesn't actually pollute the water and that it's not harmful to the environment, can you clarify if this is true?"
Celi Cho
"To be able to make such an assessment you would need certain evidence to say whether there is no pollution whatsoever and so I would give caution to make such statement but the type of fuel, from what we understand, is burning and to have that type of fuel emitting, to mix up with the sea water, yes that is an introduction of what we would determine a contaminant into the environment and that is classified as pollution, whether it's minimal or not, whether it has negative effects to sea life or not is beside the point because pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment."
Loewen has reportedly already been issued with a prohibition from sailing order and a notice of seaworthiness by the Port Authority.
