Amidst a good deal of hoopla surrounding the removal of the MV Florence Filberg’s remains in the past couple of weeks, it appears some further efficiencies have been realized in regard to further clean-up of local waters.
Heavy Metal Marine, the contractor handling the disposal of the Filberg from Sooke Harbour, had apparently gone on to tackle some smaller tasks while still in the neighbourhood.
Elisabeth Nelson and Al Fontes of the District of Sooke engineering department spoke to the issue on March 4, indicating that the further work was welcomed by the district but not contractually linked to the Filberg operation.
The further tidying up, according to Fontes, was focussing on derelicts whose removal had been craved for some time. Fontes said Transport Canada was commissioning the jobs which included the sunken boat which had been a fixture at the entrance to Anderson Cove for the past couple of years, also one (pictured) in the Basin adjacent to Sooke Marine Industries.
“The contractor who took out the Filberg is also working with Transport Canada to get rid of a few more wrecks,” said Al Fontes on March 4.
“They’re already mobilized so it’s saving Transport Canada money.”
Transport Canada confirmed its involvement by way of a March 4 email:
“There were two vessels identified as candidates for removal by Transport Canada in Sooke Basin. Both were deemed an obstruction to navigation. One due to its location in a narrow channel (at the entrance to Anderson Cove), the other, a 48’ sunken fishing boat deemed likely to obstruct navigation as it was tied to pilings but the moorings were degrading rapidly.”
Brian Freethy of Heavy Metal Marine confirmed his company’s involvement with Transport Canada and said that seeing as the equipment was well situated, they also took care of another couple of wrecks in the Cooper’s Cove area at their own expense.