Discover the Jake-Shearer: Ratings & Maritime News

On the afternoon of November 27, 2023, the Canadian Coast Guard successfully escorted the fuel barge "Zidell Marine 277" to safety in Hecate Strait, British Columbia. This operation was initiated after two crew members of the tug "Jake Shearer" had to remain aboard the barge overnight due to challenging weather conditions. The barge, which is owned by U.S.-based Harley Marine Services, was transporting a significant load of 3.5 million litres of diesel and 500,000 litres of gasoline to Alaska when it became detached from the tug in the midst of heavy winds and waves. By 9 a.m. the following morning, a second commercial tug arrived on the scene to assist and secured a tow line to take the barge towards Milbanke Sound, a location recognized for its sheltered waters. Despite the difficult circumstances, the two crew members stayed on board the barge overnight, equipped with food, shelter, and essential survival gear, in preparation for the tow line hookup and anchor recovery. The tug had been maintaining a steady speed throughout the weekend until around 3 p.m. on November 26, when its speed suddenly decreased to a near halt. For nearly four hours, the speed fluctuated just southwest of Gosling Rocks, prompting a distress call to the Coast Guard. Responding promptly, the Coast Guard dispatched two vessels, which arrived on the scene by 8:30 p.m. In total, nine agencies participated in the emergency response, including the Heiltsuk Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, British Columbia's environment ministry, and the privately owned Western Canada Marine Response Corporation. The collaborative effort ensured that the barge was safely brought back under control and en route once more.

On November 26, 2017, at 3:45 PM, the tugboat Jake Shearer was forced to disconnect from the 128-meter oil barge Zidell Marine 277, approximately 1.6 kilometers south of Goose Island in the Queen Charlotte Sound, British Columbia, as it was making its way to Alaska. The tug experienced a critical power loss which led to the disconnection. In a swift response, two crew members successfully boarded the barge that was later anchored by the tug's crew near the Hecate Strait rocks around 6:30 PM. Local residents raised alarms about the potential risk of grounding and an oil spill; however, there were no immediate signs indicating a significant threat. The Canadian Coast Guard vessels Gordon Reid and Cape St. James responded and arrived at the scene by 7:30 PM, prepared to attach a tow line to the barge, which was carrying a substantial cargo of 3.5 million liters of diesel and 468,000 liters of gasoline. Additionally, two out of three nearby tugs were requested for assistance. A plan was in motion to safely relocate the barge, with expectations of nearby tugs to arrive late on the same day or early the next. However, adverse weather conditions, with winds reaching up to 45 knots, complicated the operation. Five response vessels from Prince Rupert, including the Eagle Bay, Gill Sentinel, Kaien Sentinel, along with a workboat and boom kit, were deployed by the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation, while another vessel was sent out from Vancouver Island to Port Hardy. By November 27, as wind speeds decreased to 37 km/h, the tug Gulf Cajun was gearing up to take Zidell Marine 277 under tow.