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Boat sinks at Sault marina, Canadian Coast Guard on scene to raise it (4 photos)

No fatalities or injuries; cause of sinking unknown at this point as crews work to contain any pollution

Efforts are currently underway to raise a privately-owned vessel which sank in the frigid waters at Bellevue Marina.

A diver was observed at 3 p.m. Wednesday, his head just above a hole in the ice.

The road to the marina, situated at 48 Pine Street, was closed as a Canadian Coast Guard crew, Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) officials and private contractors worked to raise the vessel.    

The Canadian Coast Guard was alerted to the sinking of the privately-owned 13.7 metre (45-foot) vessel, known as the Dispatch II, at approximately 1 p.m. Dec. 24, said Scott Welch, a Parry Sound, Ontario-based Canadian Coast Guard response specialist, speaking to SooToday at the marina.

There were no fatalities or injuries involved.

“The Canadian Coast Guard is in charge of the response to any potential pollution from a partially submerged vessel in the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,” confirmed Carol Launderville, Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard communications advisor, in an email to SooToday.

“The Dispatch II vessel…contains diesel fuel and lube oil. Quantities are unknown at this time. Ongoing water and shoreline assessments show no signs of pollution so far,” Launderville wrote.

“Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services placed booms at the mouth of the marina to contain any potential pollution,” Launderville stated.

“The Coast Guard is on scene with spill response products and crews.”

“The Canadian Coast Guard is responsible for ensuring the clean-up of ship-sourced spills of oil and other pollutants in Canadian waters. In this instance, the Coast Guard has assumed command of the recovery effort, as the owner is unwilling to respond."

A relative says the boat's owner is now deceased.

“Hired contractors and the Coast Guard are dealing with a very cold working environment, as well as increasing ice and snow conditions,” Launderville wrote.


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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