Six tug boats came to the rescue of a freighter ship off the coast of Vancouver Island after it experienced mechanical problems near Tofino.
On Thursday, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) was made aware that the loaded carrier from Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, had departed Vancouver and was en route to Wilmington, North Carolina, before it was supposed to travel to its final destination in Asia.
But when issues arose on board, the freighter ship named the GSL Eleni had to reroute to Victoria.
“The information I have is the rudder was stuck to the port side, so it was unable to maneuver, and six tugs escorted the ship down the coast from off Tofino and Ucluelet and into Victoria early (Sunday) morning,” Ian Robertson, CEO of the GVHA, told CHEK News.
The vessel, which measures about 300 metres long, is currently docked at Ogden Point and should stay there for several days, said Robertson in an interview.
“It’s difficult to determine what repairs are required, but I can imagine with the stuck rudder, it’s going to take some time to repair,” he said.
About one year prior, on Jan. 2, 2022, a large container ship that suffered mechanical problems while at sea had to spend a few weeks in Victoria undergoing repairs.
There’s no word as to what was on board the GSL Eleni, though the goods are carried as per International Maritime Organization and Transport Canada regulations, added the GVHA.
CHEK News has reached out to Transport Canada for more information.
GVHA receives the MV GSL Eleni at Odgen Point, Jan. 1, 2023. The container ship sustained a rudder malfunction while off the coast of Tofino. The vessel is 300 m long. Repairs will be at least 4 days. Goods on board are carried as per IMO and Transport Canada regulations.#yyj pic.twitter.com/FXcpKhL9NU
— Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (@gvicharbour) January 1, 2023
A freighter ship named the GSL Eleni is tugged to Victoria in this photo captured on Jan. 1, 2023. (Photo: Robert Cullen)
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