Working Conditions Aboard the Sarah-Desgagnes

On February 14, 2016, at precisely 2:15 p.m., the St. Davids RNLI all-weather lifeboat, Garside, was dispatched to assist the tanker Sarah Desgagnes in St Brides Bay. The emergency operation was initiated to evacuate a 26-year-old male Canadian crew member in distress, suffering from an infected foot and leg. Upon arrival, the lifeboat maneuvered alongside the tanker, and two dedicated volunteer crew members boarded to assess the injured individual. After a thorough evaluation, the crew member was safely transferred to the lifeboat. The St. Davids RNLI team then promptly made their way back to the lifeboat station at St Justinian. Upon their arrival, St Davids Coastguards were already on hand to facilitate a swift transfer to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest for further medical treatment. This commendable rescue highlights the crucial role RNLI volunteers play in maritime safety. To read more about this daring lifeboat rescue, visit the official RNLI report with photo: http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/St-Davids-RNLI-volunteers-evacuate-injured-man-from-tanker.aspx

On Friday, Environment Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) took charge of the cleanup and investigation following a significant diesel fuel spill from the tanker Sarah Desgagnes in Northern Quebec. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday during a routine fuel transfer to the community of Salluit, released an estimated 3,000 litres of diesel into the water. Initially believed to be as much as 10,000 litres, CCG officials revised the figures after assessment. The accident happened as the Sarah Desgagnes, a 17,998 dwt vessel built in 2007, was nearly finished transferring 1.8 million litres of fuel necessary for the town’s winter supply. Unfortunately, the ship’s propeller accidentally severed the delivery hose, leading to the diesel leak. In response, Transport Desgagnes has deployed recovery booms, skimmers, and absorbent materials to mitigate the impact of the spill, while residents reported strong odors in the area post-incident. Authorities are working diligently to manage the situation and ensure the safety of the local environment.

Earlier this week, the 'Sarah Desgagnes,' a gasoline tanker, navigated through the challenging American Narrows segment of the St. Lawrence Seaway without incident, according to the vessel's owning company. This assertion comes in light of concerns raised by Jefferson County officials and environmental advocates regarding the ship's passage on Tuesday night. Prior to entering the narrows, the tanker had experienced a steering issue, which prompted its temporary docking. Although the vessel was accompanied by a tugboat during its journey through this notorious stretch of waterway, uncertainty lingered among local authorities regarding the safety of its passage. "Our emergency management director wasn't even called as a courtesy," stated county legislator Phil Reed in an interview with 7 News. "It's a highway; we should have been notified." The American Narrows, located between Alexandria Bay and Fisher's Landing, is renowned for its navigation difficulties, leading to further scrutiny of the situation. Outgoing director of 'Save The River,' Jennifer Caddick, also voiced her concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding the tanker’s transit.