Manolis L assessment well underway in Notre Dame Bay

A Florida-based company is in the midst of conducting assessment work in Notre Dame Bay, as part of its $5-million contract to help determine the next steps in dealing with the Manolis L shipwreck that lies about 60 metres below the surface.

• $5M contract awarded to assess future of oil-leaking Manolis L wreck

The federal governmenthired Resolve Salvage in July to carry out a number of tasks, such as figuring out the wreck's exact orientation and locationand providingan update to the status of its hull and the contaminants it contains.

Crews of two make up to five dives daily in order to drill, collect samples and plug leaks.

Several federal government departments are also involved with the technical assessment, includingthe Canadian Coast Guard.

The Manolis L sank in 1985 along with about 500 tonnes of fuel, and has intermittentlyleaked since that time, despite the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and coast guard taking measures such as installing a cofferdam in order to capture any escaping oil.

The assessment work is expected to wrap up Sept 4.