Grounded barge in English Bay will remain until at least Dec. 6, owner says
The barge that's been grounded at Sunset Beach since last week's historic storm will be staying there a little while longer.
Owner Sentry Marine had previously told CTV News the barge would be moved on Sunday, but the Richmond company now says it is waiting until the King Tide on Dec. 6 to attempt removal.
The barge has quickly become a piece of Vancouver lore, inspiring memes and parody social media accounts and attracting onlookers on a daily basis since it ran aground.
A tugboat was brought in to remove the barge on Nov. 16, but it wasn't strong enough to do the job.
Sentry Marine said the problem is that the tide had surged to around 14.8 feet when the barge was grounded. The next King Tide in Vancouver is expected at 8 a.m. on Dec. 6, according to the city, which has not provided an estimate for how high the water might get.
As of Sunday, Fisheries and Oceans Canada predicted a high of 5 metres, or 16.4 feet, on Dec. 6.
The highest recorded King Tide in Vancouver history was 5.57 metres, or 18.3 feet, in 1967, according to the city.
The barge was one of nearly two dozen vessels that were set adrift by last week's storm, according to the Canadian Coast Guard.
Transport Canada, which is the lead federal agency helping to co-ordinate the removal plan, says there is no threat of pollution from the barge, which is empty and had previously been used to carry wood chips.
"Once refloat has been successful and the barge stabilized, we will allow the barge to proceed for repairs, and we will follow up with the owner to ensure the vessel is fit for service," a Transport Canada spokesperson said in an email to CTV News last week.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Andrew Weichel
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cell phone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cell phone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
More than 7,000 Jeep SUVs recalled in Canada over camera display concern
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
New York City police apprehend suspect in the death of a woman found on fire in a subway car
New York City police announced Sunday they have in custody a “person of interest” in the early morning death of a woman who they believe may have fallen asleep on a stationary subway train before being intentionally lit on fire by a man she didn't know.