Cracks, leaks found in cargo ship that ran aground near Lark Harbour

Crews continue to work around the weather as they assess and attempt to recover a cargo ship that ran aground last weekend near Lark Harbour, N.L.

The ship — and its crew of 20, which were rescued — lost power at sea and found itself aground in Cedar Cove on Newfoundland's west coast.

On Friday, Bruce English, senior response officer with the Marine Environmental and Hazards section of the Canadian Coast Guard, said a leak was found in the MSC Baltic III.

"It's been a painful week waiting for information," said English.

Winds have clocked over 100 kilometres per hour in Lark Harbour Friday, but crews were still able to get aboard the stuck vessel.

Damage has been found on the bottom and the hull, said English, and there is "an oily water mixture" in the engine room and water in some cargo holds.

Texas-based company T&T Salvage is on site and is weighing the options for the ship's removal.

Safety of crews is one of the top priorities for the coast guard at the moment, said English. 

"We successfully removed 20 people without anyone getting hurt during the storm," he said. "We don't want to hurt anybody or injure them [by] putting them on."

An emergency zone has been designated in the water, air and on the land in the area of the grounded ship. 

The coast guard is asking people not to let their curiosity get the better of them as operations continue. They are urging everyone to stay away from the area.

Drones are not allowed to be flown in the area, as a coast guard helicopter has been making daily flights over the vessel.

"Everyone is curious," said English. "If it was in my backyard, I'd want to know, too. But we ask that people stay back from the area."

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