If you’re cruising in the Pacific Northwest be weary of this large navigation hazard from the Japan tsunami.
A large fishing vessel swept away by the tsunami that devastated Japan last year has been spotted adrift off British Columbia in western Canada. Jeff Olsson of Victoria’s Joint rescue coordination center said an airplane contracted by the government spotted the 50-foot-long vessel recently about 160 miles west of Haida Gwaii, slowly drifting toward shore. The vessel has been identified as coming from Hokkaido, Japan. The Vancouver Sun reports no one is believed on board, according to the ship’s owner.
The vessel is one of several Japanese ships swept away by the March 11, 2011 tsunami that are being tracked by authorities, as the debris field edges closer to North America. About 5 million tons of debris were swept into the ocean the magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. Olsson said there is no environmental danger from the ship. But a maritime warning has been issued because the vessel could pose a navigational hazard.
Courtesy of www.cbsnews.com.
So, if it does not pose a havard for the environment, AND the fact that is only a 50 foot boat. Why don’t they just tow it to a harbor for repair? What information am I missing?
Either tow it for repair, salvage the ship and contents, or send her to the bottom! Of course, a beached ghost ship is a cool thing to see, so maybe letting it wash up on the west coast is an attractive idea after all! I just hope whatever happens, it’s reported on.
50 foot ???