Crews Continue to Monitor BC Cargo Ship Fire Amidst Storm | The Canadian News

Maritime officials in British Columbia say they continue to closely monitor a dangerous fire aboard a cargo ship moored near Victoria.

At least 10 containers on the MV Zim Kingston caught fire on Friday, while another 40 fell into the water and efforts to collect them are hampered by stormy weather.

Two of the burning containers contain hazardous material identified as potassium amylxanthate, a chemical used in mining operations.

Sixteen members of the crew had been safely removed from the ship on Saturday, while five others, including the captain, remained on board.

An emergency zone has been established within one nautical mile around the Zim Kingston, which is currently anchored at Constance Bank Anchorage, near Victoria.

“It looks really good,” Mariah McCooey of the Canadian Coast Guard said Monday. “It appears that the containers that were burning are now on fire. Certainly there is no more visible open flame on the boat, which is really positive. “

The weather has prevented crews from boarding the ship.

“The weather is being monitored for an appropriate weather window to carry out the transfer of personnel at sea,” said Paul Barrett of the Coast Guard on Monday. “Based on the current forecast, a weather window is expected tonight.”

Containers that fell overboard continue to drift parallel to the northwest of the west coast of Vancouver Island.

The inclement weather has prevented the recovery of the containers. The current model indicates that the containers will not reach land, the Coast Guard said.

McCooey said it is not yet clear what caused the fire.

The Coast Guard said there are currently no human health impacts for Greater Victoria residents. Crews continue to monitor air quality in the area, the environment ministry said Monday.

McCooey said there are no identified risks to marine life.

– with files from Simon Little and The Canadian Press