Grieg Seafood contractor's ship damaged after hitting rock in B.C. inlet

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Naalak Nappaaluk is seen dry docked in North Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Fish farming company Grieg Seafood says a vessel owned by a contractor it hired hit a rock in Tahsis Inlet off Vancouver Island on Saturday, but the cause of the collision is unknown.

The company says the collision was “reported to the relevant authorities” and there were no injuries or any pollution as a result, but the boat did take “some damage.”

Grieg chief operating officer Grant Cumming says in a statement that the cause of the accident is unknown, but the company will take lessons from an investigation once it’s done “to minimize the likelihood” of it happening again.

Cumming says the collision was “regrettable” but it was fortunate that there were no injuries or any harm to the environment.

The ship named the Ronja Islander is owned by Norway-based Solvtrans, which provides marine transport services to fish farm companies for moving live fish.

Solvtrans spokesman Harald Nesvik says there were no fish on board the vessel at the time of the collision.

This report by Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press, was first published March 10, 2025.