VPD Marine Unit / Twitter
On Wednesday, December 26, two heavy barges drifted into the Coal Harbour Marina and caused serious damage to vessels and structures.
The barges were moored in North Vancouver before they came loose and subsequently drifted into the Burrard Inlet. What's more, each barge is roughly the size of a soccer field and loaded with heavy containers.
Vancouver Is Awesome spoke to Sergeant Jason Robillard, Media Relations Officer, Vancouver Police Department, who explained what took place.
"Just before 6:30 a.m., a vessel from the VPD’s Marine unit respond to a 9-1-1 call and requested the assistance of Port Metro Vancouver Patrol," he said. "The barges struck several boats and structures in and around the Coal Harbour Marina causing a significant amount of damage (two boats and three structures)."
"Just after 8 a.m., with the assistance from a VPD Marine Unit vessel, two local tug boats, and two Port Vancouver vessels, the barges were pulled back to North Vancouver."
A double barge broke free from the Navy Buoys over night, and drifted across the Burrard Inlet. It struck a Harbour Air dock, at least two yachts and a restaurant. Coast Guard: "Pollution is minimal". Witness: “I saw it before it hit the super yacht.” #Vancouver @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/IWA1APFv9X
— Allison Hurst (@AllisonM_Hurst) December 27, 2018
VPD Marine Unit responded to 2 runaway barges that had already damaged the seaplane base, two luxury yachts and a restaurant. Our vessel pushed the barges until emergency tugs arrived preventing further damage and incursion into Coal Harbour @VancouverPD @CTVNews pic.twitter.com/HOOfXAe9An
— VPD Marine Unit (@VPDMarineUnit) December 27, 2018
While no injuries were reported as a result of the incident, Sergeant Robillard reports that the damages are estimated to be well over a million dollars. As such, the VPD are conducting an investigation into the Coal Harbour structures and vessels. They are also working with the Transportation Safety Board on their part of the investigation.
