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Rapid response to fuel spill in Queen Charlotte

Immediate response from several agencies meant a fuel spill Thursday in the Queen Charlotte harbour was mopped up within a few hours.Diesel fuel spilled into the water while it was being transferred between tanks on the Gwaii Haanas 2, one of Parks Canada's vessels. Gwaii Haanas spokesperson Terrie Dionne said the small spill took place at around 9 a.m. on Oct. 6. Gwaii Haanas technical services and resource conservation staff were both on site and sought assistance immediately.Oil spill equipment is stored on the vessel and the Coast Guard as well as Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Burrard Fuel Spill Response Team and the harbour master were on the scene with additional equipment.The spill was cleaned up by noon, said Ms Dionne and the Coast Guard was satisfied there were no adverse effects. No measurements were taken of the amount of fuel spilled, but Ms Dionne said it was a small amount in the scheme of things. She said Gwaii Haanas will document the event in a hazardous occurrence report and do an internal investigation, "to see if there are any steps to take to add to the process of transferring fuel."All of those who participated were certified to respond to an oil spill, said Ms Dionne.