New images as company plans rescue of stranded Northwest Passage ship

Authorities say they are reviewing a draft plan to salvage a commercial freighter that ran aground in the Northwest Passage earlier this month.

The Thamesborg, owned by Dutch shipping firm Wagenborg, is stranded in the Franklin Strait off the Tasmania Islands between the Nunavut mainland and Prince of Wales Island.

The ship, which was carrying industrial carbon blocks from China to Quebec, has been aground for more than 10 days with damage to its ballast tanks. Officials say no pollution has escaped and the crew of 16 were unhurt.

In its latest update, published on Tuesday, the Canadian Coast Guard said its representatives and Transport Canada officials are reviewing a draft salvage plan submitted by Wagenborg.

“The vessel remains stable,” the coast guard added.

Wagenborg, in a separate statement earlier this week, said it is working on “a plan for the safe and effective refloating of the ship” but bad weather had introduced a delay.

“All salvage efforts are dependent on the weather and some operations have had to be delayed due to inclement weather over the weekend,” Wagenborg stated on Monday.

“Meanwhile, a salvage master and naval architect joined Thamesborg and the first salvage equipment and additional staff have arrived on site. Remaining salvage equipment and staff is under way to the site and expected to arrive within seven days.”

The coast guard says its CCGS Des Groseilliers icebreaker is now at the scene, relieving CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier and CCGS Jean Goodwill. Earlier, coast guard ships had helped bring personnel and equipment from nearby Taloyoak to the south.

“Canada follows the ‘polluter pay principle.’ Vessel owners are responsible for taking the appropriate measures to address any risks or hazards posed their vessel, as well as the associated costs,” the coast guard stated.

“This includes any hazard-related costs like cleanup or repairs and any remediation action taken by the Canadian Coast Guard.”