The Coast Guard has its hands full with the disabled Russian oil tanker Simushir. The cable being used by the Canadian vessel Gordon Reid to tow the Simushir has became detached. In the short term however there is little concern that the tanker, which is now 44 kilometres offshore, will go aground and cause an environmental problem. The Reid had successfully towed the tanker more than 30 kilometres before the line detached. Efforts are being made to re-connect. There are also at least two other Coast Guard ships on site, one U.S. and one Canadian, capable of towing the Simushir There is no information about what the shipping company has planned to repair the ship or whether it will be towed back to Russia. But for the time being, authorities feel it is not a threat to the shoreline.
