Sunken tugboat a big headache for Nanaimo Port Authority

The Nanaimo Port Authority is trying to figure out how to salvage a tugboat that sank in its harbour last week after it collided with another tug off the east coast of Vancouver Island.

The Transportation Safety Board previously told CBC News the larger vessel, the C.T. Titan, overpowered the smaller boat, the Albern, causing the latter to sink near Gabriola Island. 

• Double tug boat crash near Nanaimo leaves vessel underwater

The TSB says it has detained the C.T. Titan and it will investigate if its operator violated the Canada Shipping Act. It's also assessing if a full investigation into the crash is warranted. 

Nanaimo Harbour Master Edward Dahlgren says the Albern is sitting in roughly 100 metres of water and, although salvage is possible at that depth, specialized equipment will be needed to assess the condition of the wreck.

"Once we know what we're dealing with we can now go back and fairly say to the insurer and the owner this is what we know," he said. 

Dahlgren says authorities believe all fuel was released from the vessel immediately because underwater pressure would have imploded the tanks — but there's still concern about other pollutants.

That's why Islands Trust chair Peter Luckham says he wants to see the tug raised as soon as possible.

"Remaining hydrocarbons in terms of grease and oil and other products that would be on that vessel will naturally remain and continue to leach into the environment," he said. 

In a written statement, the Canadian Coast Guard said "there is minimal sheen on the water and it is non-recoverable," but environmental response personnel are prepared to respond if the situation gets worse.  

A tugboat operated by the same company also sank near Nanaimo in October of 2014; it has yet to be recovered. 

Dahlgren says the Nanaimo Port Authority can't comment further on the case because it is now before the courts.

With files from Megan Thomas