The Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation says it has completed the first portion of a multi-part settlement after a tugboat ran aground in its territory, spilling thousands of litres of fuel into its waters.

In October 2016, the United States owned tug Nathan E. Stewart ran aground in the Seaforth Channel near Bella Bella, B.C. 

An estimated 110,000 litres of diesel and another 2,000 litres of lubricants were spilled into Qvúqvái, an important area for harvesting in the nation’s territory.

The first settlement is with Kirby Corporation and Henry Hendrix, the second mate of the tugboat who fell asleep during his watch. According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, he was likely responsible for the grounding of the tug.