Diesel spill reported near north Vancouver Island for second time in a week

Mar 10, 2017 | 4:43 PM

PORT MCNEILL, B.C. — Coast guard and environment ministry crews have responded to a small diesel spill near north Vancouver Island, the second accident in the area in a week.

British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment says it received a report Friday afternoon of a spill from a fuel tank near the Port Harvey Marina, located south of Port McNeill.

It says an observer reported fuel on the beach and in the water, and a Canadian Coast Guard vessel was dispatched to assess the scene and local First Nations were notified.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has confirmed a sheen on the water and it says an estimated 178 litres has spread over the area.