Tag Archives: F/V Eyelander

Fine laid after vessel runs aground in Witless Bay

The company that owns a vessel that ran aground near the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve has been fined $35,000 in Newfoundland and Labrador provincial court. Bright Eye Fishing Corporation pleaded guilty to violations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1994, according to a media release issued by the federal government Wednesday. The money will go towards an environmental damages fund and the company’s name will be added to the environmental offenders registry. click here to read the story 15:34

Boat captain admits ‘negligence’ in oil spill near Witless Bay reserve

The captain of the fishing vessel than ran aground Friday — spilling diesel near the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve — says the incident was due to “negligence” on his part. Capt. Joseph Swan, who declined an on-camera interview, told CBC News Monday he should have been awake when the incident happened, but it was the rocks grinding against the vessel Eyelander that woke him up. The 35 to 55 litres of diesel from a bilge pump on the boat that ended up in the water have been cleaned up, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The boat, which is from Fairhaven, Mass., ended up on the rock near Green Island on Friday morning, prompting a mayday call from the crew. All five people on board were transported safely to Bay Bulls by a rescue craft from the nearby West Aquarius oil rig.click here to read the story 08:37

Biologist slams U.S. vessel for running aground in Witless Bay Reserve

Oil from a U.S. fishing vessel killed a number of birds inside the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve on Friday, and a seabird biologist says the boat had no business being so close to Green Island to run aground in the first place.,, The Canadian Coast Guard’s environmental response team cleaned up Friday, and DFO said no pollution was reported in Witless Bay. Transport Canada is investigating. Montevecchi said the Eyelander, an American fishing boat, was apparently too close to Green Island early Friday morning and ran aground. click here to read the story 20:46

No oiled birds spotted in Witless Bay area – In a statement Tuesday, the Canadian Coast Guard said its environmental response surveillance flights — and surveys by boat of the area on Saturday along with the Canadian Wildlife Service — confirmed there was no pollution in the area. Meantime, two dive surveys have been completed on the fishing vessel with no sign of diesel or oil leakage. click here to read the story 8/28 16:39