The M/V Petersfield was outbound from Kitimat BC when it ran aground in the Douglas Channel in the evening on September 25th. The M/V Petersfield is owned by Gearbulk Shipping Limited. According to Gearbulk Shipping, there was a local pilot on the bridge when this happened.

“During the transit, the vessel ran aground at low speed which caused damage to the forward or bow area of the vessel. There was no injury to the vessels' personnel and no observation of any oil leak or pollution. The vessel subsequently returned to Kitimat where she is presently anchored. Fuel has been transferred from all adjacent fuel tanks as a precautionary measure only and there is no risk of any oil spillage,” said Kelly Williams, General Manager of Gearbulk Shipping Canada LTD.

“Following the incident, personnel from both Gearbulk Shipping Canada Ltd and the vessels' ship managers (KGJS) were mobilized to the vessel for precuationary purposes. In addition, representatives from both Transport Canada and the Canadian Transport Safety Board have been on board the vessel to investigate the incident,” added Williams

The vessel has been cleared by Transport Canada to set sail for Vancouver escorted by a tug for further assessment and repairs. It will be leaving Kitimat at 5:00 in the morning on October 1st. Gearbulk Shipping is still investigating the cause of the incident and are unable to provide any speculation concerning the cause of the vessel's grounding at this time.

Stay tuned for further details.