It took just one hour for 29,000 litres of bunker fuel to foul the Howe Sound, but it'll take shipping company lawyers months to get through claims for compensation. Bernard and Partners marine law firm is now accepting applications for compensation on behalf of Gearbulk, the owner of the Westwood Anette, and numerous organizations, from the federal government to the Squamish Windsport Society, say they'll be filing claims. "We lost out during the biggest weekend of the year," said Windsport director of finance and operations, Jean-Michel Tremblay. "We lost about $400 to $500 a day during those three days. And we're continuing to lose while the spit's closed." The District of Squamish reopened the windsurf spit late Wednesday (Aug. 16). Tremblay said that businesses such as restaurants, lodging facilities and sailing equipment stores also suffered from the loss of hundreds of visiting windsurfers and kiteboarders.