A ship carrying uranium was anchored off the coast of Ladysmith/Chemainus after cargo spilled due to rough seas.
A ship carrying uranium concentrate bound for China has anchored off the coast of Ladysmith/Chemainus after severe weather interrupted its travel plans.
According to the Cameco website, the Saskatchewan-based company that produced and is shipping the uranium, the ship left Vancouver on Dec. 23, 2010, and hit severe seas heading to China.
On Jan. 3, Cameco said they were notified the containers holding the uranium shifted and two open drums were outside of their sea containers, however people inspecting the ship have since discovered more than the two reported drums have spilled.
The company stated all the uranium is safely sealed off in the one of the ship’s cargo holds.
Cameco spokesperson Rob Gereghty said he understands people are concerned, but emphasized people and the environment are safe.
“The environment is protected and people are safe,” said Gereghty.
Cameco is working with Transport Canada and the Canada Nuclear Safety Commission on a plan on how to do the clean up and where.
“They (Transport Canada and the CNSC) are looking at us to do a remediation plan, which is basically a plan to clean up the ship and our product,” said Gereghty.
“Both parties have to be confident before we can move forward.”
The plan, he added, should be ready by Jan. 19.
The safety commission, said Gereghty, is also doing their own report and inspection.
Gereghty said there was a crew on board the ship the morning of Jan. 18.
The crews onboard have since discovered more than two drums that have spilled, said Gereghty.
“A number of the sea containers moved, so we are not able to get around and view the entire hold,” said Gereghty.
“I can tell you there’s more than two (drums spilled).”
Up to 35 drums can be held in each sea container and there are around 24 sea containers —roughly 840 drums on board.
That represents 770,000 lb. of uranium concentrate, said Gereghty. The dollar amount, he said, depends on the contracts signed.
Gereghty said this is the first time in the company’s 20-year history that Cameco has had a problem with sea containers.
Gereghty said his company handles uranium on a daily basis and is confident they can clean it up without incident.
The biggest concern when handling uranium concentrate, said Gereghty, is not breathing it in when in close quarters.
Respirators are needed when people are with four to five metres of a drum, said Gereghty adding crews also wear protective gear.
“You can use a shovel and a broom to clean up a good portion of it.”