I do not think anyone has dreamed of this scenario: a tsunami turning over an oil tanker in the Salish Sea following a major earthquake. It is, however, a real possibility, given our seismically active region.
Who would be manning the clean-up? The military would have their hands full saving lives. Volunteers who would normally be willing to step forward for the cleanup on beaches would be preoccupied with looking after their own families. The oil would be left to spread, perhaps filling Boundary Bay, surrounding the Gulf Islands or infiltrating the beaches of the Victoria waterfront.
If it spread to the U.S., we would be responsible for the cleanup, which would run into the billions of dollars. Even the Americans would have their hands full looking after their citizens during such a widespread emergency. Then, again, would their military or ours even have the know-how or the capacity to clean up such a toxic mess?
Oil tankers in our area are pure folly. I hope that our oil spill equipment is up high, if there is anyone left to run it.
B.C. is well enough off. The risks are just too great for us, for our environment and for our economy.
David Newell
Oak Bay
