The District of Sechelt is working with the owner of a sailboat to remove it from the Trail Bay waterfront after it washed ashore the evening of Nov. 23.
The sailboat broke free from its mooring in Trail Bay during a storm event and waves pushed the vessel onto Sechelt’s shore in front of The Watermark development. The vessel’s mast hung over the walkway and concerned citizens alerted the district.
“The District of Sechelt was notified and our public works crews secured the immediate area in order to address any potential public safety concerns,” said district spokesperson Siobhan Smith.
“Action was taken to prevent pedestrians from inadvertently walking into the mast, and both the engine and fuel storage located within the vessel were removed to prevent any potential environmental damage.”
The unnamed owner of the vessel came to the district’s offices shortly after he found out about the issue, saying he would remove the boat, according to staff.
As of Nov. 30, the sailboat was still beached in Sechelt.
Smith said the district has now notified Transport Canada’s Navigable Waters Protection Officers to “seek assistance in addressing the vessel” and they continue to urge the owner to take action.
“The District of Sechelt does not have a budget, nor a program, for the removal of derelict vessels,” Smith said.
