In April of 2013, a number of oiled eider ducks were reported and fishermen noted oil slicks between Change and Bacalhau Islands off the east coast of Newfoundland, triggering a Canadian Coast Guard investigation into the source. That source turned out to be the Manolis L, a bulk carrier that sank in 1985.
In an effort to protect the environment, the local fisheries and bird populations, the Canadian Coast Guard is attempting to seal the leaks using neoprene gaskets. A voluntary exclusion zone is in place, booms have been set to try to recover oil from the surface and noisemakers are being used to try to keep the birds away from the oiled area.
Removing the balance of the 500 tonnes of intermediate fuel oil and diesel on board the ship is not a consideration at this time due to the rough sea conditions in the area and the fact that the vessel is resting at 80 meters under water.
Just recently the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a report on a survey of ships sunk along the US coast which might pose a potential oil threat.
Sources: The Telegram, Global News