Skip to content

Eliminate anchorages in Satellite Channel, Cowichan Bay

There are six anchorages located in Satellite Channel that are occupied by ships up to 300 metres.

Eliminate anchorages in Satellite Channel, Cowichan Bay

Re: “Potential of oil spill is too high to take the risk” (Citizen, April 21)

I commend Scott Myers for speaking out about the potential danger that looms over our heads close to every day of our winter months.

There are six anchorages located in Satellite Channel that are alternately occupied by ships up to 300 metres in length. These ships can store in excess of one million gallons of bunker fuel each. The ships anchor here without paying (there is no charge), and are not managed like they would be, if anchored in a port such as Vancouver or Nanaimo. That is why they are anchored here so frequently for weeks at a time. One ship, the Hanjin Scarlett, has been at anchor in Satellite Channel for close to three months now. A number of ships have stayed at anchor for weeks or a month or more. The longer they stay, the greater the possibility of an oil spill. Along with the risk of marine devastation, there is the constant air (from diesel generators), noise (also detrimental to orca and other marine life) and light pollution that the ships send out 24/7. There are very limited emergency response system resources nearby.

In the event of a spill, the ship will leave Satellite Channel and Cowichan Bay/Estuary behind and move on to their next destination. Leaving the devastation to the local residents to deal with.

I, and many other concerned people, belong to a local organization called the Cowichan Bay Shipwatch Society (CBSWS), which is dedicated to eliminating the anchorages currently in Satellite Channel and Cowichan Bay. Their website is: cowichanbayshipwatchsociety.com and it contains valuable information. For those who are interested and wish to support this group’s efforts, they can be contacted at cbsws820@gmail.com.

Gailann Squires

Cowichan Bay