Duke Point ferry terminal closed due to hydraulic-fluid spill from ferry

B.C. Ferries has closed its Duke Point terminal south of Nanaimo due to a hydraulic-fluid spill from the Coastal Inspiration. Frank Camaraire, director of fleet engineering for B.C. Ferries, said about 120 litres of hydraulic fluid leaked into the water. “A hydraulic system opens and closes the bow doors at the end of the vessel,” said Camaraire. “There was a failure on that system.” The leak occurred at 9:30 a.m. Camaraire says the cleanup was completed by early afternoon. “I do know we were very quick at stopping the leak and capturing as much of it as possible,” he said. “Hydraulic fluid is much lighter than other kinds out there.” At least one sailing scheduled to depart from Duke Point to Tsawwassen was redirected to Departure Bay terminal in Nanaimo.