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Charges pending in Lund Harbour boat incident

Damaged vessel causes fuel spill in Lund waters
lund boat
BOAT RUNS AGROUND: After hitting a rocky island beach outside of Lund, a converted fishing troller sank in Lund Harbour on Thursday, January 12. Further investigation into the accident, which caused fuel leakage in the harbour, may result in charges being laid. Megan Cole photo

A 40-foot wooden boat ran aground at Lund Harbour boat launch between 11:15 and 11:30 pm on Thursday, January 12.

Powell River RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard, BC Ambulance Service and Northside Volunteer Fire Department were notified and, according to RCMP, three passengers, all from Campbell River and Cortes Island, had exited the vessel, but the owner remained on board.

Northside Volunteer Fire Department fire chief Jim Brown said the vessel, a converted fishing troller “hit a large rock known by locals as One Tree Island just outside of Lund harbour.”

The boat began to take on water but made it into the harbour, where it was grounded on the boat ramp. The boat had a large hole in the hull and was taking on water as the tide rose.

“Two of the passengers sustained minor injuries and were a little hypothermic,” said Brown. Temperatures overnight dropped to as low as -8 degrees Celsius in some areas in the region. The three passengers were transported to hospital by paramedics for routine assessment.

Personnel from Canadian Coast Guard vessel Cape Caution and zodiac Westview I were tasked with providing medical assistance prior to paramedics arriving and pollution response in case the vessel leaked, according to Coast Guard officer in charge Eric Green.

“We boomed the vessel for possible pollution,” said Green. “There was leakage.”

Green said it was unclear how much leakage because they could not acquire an answer from the captain regarding remaining fuel levels in the boat.

“Police boarded the vessel and located the 58-year-old owner sleeping, but he showed signs of intoxication once woken by police,” stated Powell River RCMP constable Kerri Chard in a media release.

The owner, from Courtenay, BC, became “very agitated and aggressive” with Lund Harbour staff and was arrested for causing a disturbance, RCMP stated.

Upon further investigation, police discovered the owner was bound by a court order to not consume alcohol. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in relation to the breach of his court order. Further charges are pending.

BC Ministry of Environment is also investigating to survey possible damage to the environment.

“It was a good response from everyone involved,” said Green, “and the timely manner in which the Powell River divers arrived was excellent.”

The boat was towed to a Lund boatyard on the afternoon of Friday, January 13.