The Canadian Coast Guard to Explore Long-Term Solutions for Manolis L

News Release

Experts asked to consider a technical assessment

July 31, 2015

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador -- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that the Canadian Coast Guard is requesting information from businesses that specialize in marine salvage to execute an in-depth technical assessment of the Manolis L.

An in-depth technical assessment will provide detailed information on the status of the hull and identify locations and amounts of oil that may be contained within the wreck. In addition, the technical assessment will outline other operational challenges that will inform the range of long-term options that are available to address the Manolis L. The technical assessment is a necessary first-step given the challenging conditions at the Manolis L site, and is further proof of our Government’s commitment to the protection of our marine environment.

Canadian Coast Guard Environmental Response officers have been conducting regular site visits to survey the hull of the Manolis L, checking containment seals and removing any oil collected by a cofferdam. The monitoring plan also includes aerial surveillance flights to look for any signs of oil pollution, and monitoring by Coast Guard fleet vessels.

A Canadian Coast Guard Environmental Response team completed its most recent operations in June 2015. An assessment showed that the hull is stable and in good condition and doesn’t represent an immediate major environmental risk.

Quick Facts

In 2013, the Canadian Coast Guard investigated a report of oil on the water near Change Islands in Notre Dame Bay. The source of the oil was the Liberian-flagged MV Manolis L that ran aground and sank on January 15, 1985, in an area known as Blowhard Rocks.
The Manolis L is located 200 feet below the surface.
Since fall 2014 operations, only a small trace of oil has been detected at the surface only one time, and dissipated within 24 hours.
There have been 45 aerial surveillance flights from December 5, 2014 to July 29, 2015 over the area of the Manolis L and Canadian Coast Guard ships have conducted on-the-water observations in the area. The Canadian Coast Guard continues to monitor the area.

Quote

“Our Government is taking the protection of our marine environment seriously. While the Canadian Coast Guard is confident that its current plan to manage the Manolis L is effective, we are ready to look at all options to ensure the marine environment is protected. As a responsible Government we are looking for long-term solutions.”

– The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans