
The MSC Baltic III ran aground in Cedar Cove on February 15th after losing power.
The Mayor of Lark Harbour, Wade Park, says the tiny Bay of Islands town has been a beehive of activity since the grounding of a cargo ship in Cedar Cove. The MSC Baltic III ran aground on February 15th after losing power. Rough sea conditions are preventing salvage teams from getting 1.7 million litres of fuel as well as containers safely removed from the ship. Officials from the Coast Guard wanted to build a road to the grounded vessel, which has to be taken apart and removed since there is too much structural damage to tow the ship. Mayor Park says plans to construct that road have hit a hurdle and they’re trying to find out who owns a piece of land they need to cross. He says it’s not owned by anyone in the town.
Meanwhile, fish harvesters in the area are getting ready to head out for the crab and lobster fishery, which Park says is the backbone of the community. He says it is somewhat congested in the area with a lot of vehicles but everyone is working together. Containers filled with beads listed as “dangerous goods” have been safely removed from the vessel and no spillage or pollution can be seen in the area.