Log Spills Information and Procedures

Background
Logging on the B.C. coast involves transporting and storing large numbers of logs on our waterways. The two main methods of log transport are by towing booms of bundled logs or by towing log barges. Adverse weather or strong current conditions can cause a log boom under tow or in storage to break up. Or, a log barge can unintentionally tip resulting in logs being lost overboard. The released logs can spread out and be swept away by wind or tidal currents which may create a hazard to marine craft and a costly loss to the log owner.

Prior to the existence of B.C. Log Spill Recovery Co-operative Association (BCLS), log boom breakups were dealt with in much the same way as normal log salvage. When the B.C. Legislature introduced new regulations giving the Ministry of Forests authority over log salvage, they insisted that log spills be dealt with separately, by the owner of the logs or his agent. As a result of this directive, BCLS was incorporated in 1966 as a not-for-profit organization under the Cooperative Associations Act. The purpose of BCLS is to coordinate the recovery of lost logs in spill situations for B.C. coastal waters, including the Fraser River.

The association addresses about 125 log spillls per year. For efficiency, BCLS operates from the same office, and with the same directors, staff and management committee as Gulf Log Salvage Co-operative Association.

Definition of a Log Spill
A "log spill" is any situation where logs or log bundles are escaping or have escaped from a boom or a booming ground and the resources are not immediately available to contain and control the escapement.