Tugboat unable to remove barge from downtown Vancouver shoreline
A tugboat brought in to remove a barge from the rocks of a downtown Vancouver beach wasn’t quite strong enough to do the job.
The large vessel became unmoored during Monday’s storm and ran aground near Sunset Beach. By early evening there were fears it could come loose again and float into the Burrard Street Bridge, causing city officials to close the busy crossing to traffic from 7 p.m. Monday until 8 a.m. Tuesday.
The City of Vancouver later said on Twitter there were plans to tow the barge on Tuesday afternoon with the high tide, expected around 3:30 p.m. An engineer with the city told CTV News he estimated up to six tugs would be required to pull the barge off the rocks.
The Coast Guard told CTV News the barge owner, who has not been publicly identified, is responsible for securing it and towing it away. Crews made several attempts to pull the barge off the rocks Tuesday afternoon, but it wouldn’t budge. As of Tuesday evening, the barge remained on the rocks.
CTV News has reached out to the Coast Guard for information about what happens next, with the next high tide during daylight hours happening at 3:26 p.m. Wednesday.
It's unclear how the barge ended up drifting out of control in a high-traffic body of water.
There doesn't appear to be any risk of pollution on the barge, which was previously carrying wood chips, according to the Coast Guard.
"It has been confirmed that there are no hydrocarbons on board," a spokesperson said in an email.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.