Manolis L hull assessment finished, report due in weeks

A technical assessment of the shipwreck Manolis L is finished and a report is being written that will include recommendations on what to do with oil inside the hull of the ship.

"It's a very critical piece of information that determines the integrity of the hull, the stability of the hull," said Bruce English with the Canadian Coast Guard.

"All this will give us really [is]good solid information to plan the next steps whether that will be to remove the oil or whatever decision is made."

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In July, the federal government awarded a $5-million dollar contract toResolve Marine Groupof Fort Lauderdaleto complete the assessment with the assistance of thecoast guard, TransportCanada, andEnvironment Canada.

The Manolis L sank off the coast Jan. 18, 1985 after it crashed into a rock formation. The wreck sat dormant for years, but a powerful storm dislodged the vessel several years ago as well as 500 tonnes of fuel in its hull.

Underwater footage of the Manolis L

8 years ago

Duration 0:47

Look underneath the surface in this underwater video of a technical team assessing the shipwrecked Manolis L.

English said the assessment will show how much fuel is left in the hull of the ship as well as the location of the fuel.

"This is all information that will be evaluated and come out in the report that Resolve Marine will provide to the coast guard within the coming weeks probably late September, early into October."