First Nation issues first alert about Russian container ship over fears it could hit the coast

A 135-metre container ship laden with hundreds of tonnes of bunker and diesel fuel is adrift off the west coast of Haida Gwaii, says the Canadian Forces' Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria.

The Russian container ship Simushir is about 25 kilometres off Tasu Sound, according to the centre. 

The Canadian Coast Guard says the ship was incapacitated in gale force winds early this morning around 1:30 a.m. PT.