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Tag: Canadian Coast Guard

Harbour Princess

Harbour Princess

Harbour Princess
Photo: globalnews.ca

On the morning of August 3, the 26 meter long passenger ship Harbour Princess (MMSI: 316022498) ran aground in the Burrand Inlet off Point Atkinson, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Harbour Princess was on a morning excursion with 58 passengers when it struck a rock in Starboat Cove. Passengers reported the vessel made a loud thud and abruptly stopped. The jolt knocked some off their feet.  The passenger ship sent out a distress call with multiple agencies responding led by the Canadian Coast Guard. The Harbour Princess did not suffer any water ingress, but the passenger ship was escorted back to its berth in Coal Harbour where it safely unloaded its passengers. Reports state 2 passengers were injured during the incident. One was taken to hospital for treatment.

According to news reports, the Harbour Princess struck the rock close to high tide.  Authorities have not stated if this obstruction was clearly mapped on the charts or not. Authorities have not yet stated if there will be an investigation into the incident.

Iron Horse

Iron Horse

Iron Horse
Photo: cheknews.ca

On July 7, the 15 meter long tugboat Iron Horse sank to the bottom in the Discovery Passage in Campbell River marina on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The tugboat, built in 1945, had been derelict for some years and had suffered water ingress and partially sank in May 2025 before it completely sank in July.

Iron Horse
Photo: shipspotting.com

Port authorities reported that small amount of oil and diesel fuel pollution had been released from the tugboat. The Canadian Coast Guard had the owner remove the majority of the oil and fuel in 2023. The owner of the Iron Horse once lived in a makeshift houseboat tied next to the tugboat. The man was elderly and had moved away some time prior. Authorities state they do not have a current address for the owner.  The Iron Horse had no insurance.

The harbour authorities state they may have to pay for the cost of removing the tug and the pollution cleanup. Estimates could be as high as $100,000 CAN.  The Canadian Coast Guard will not be involved as the Iron Horse was not a navigational hazard and the amount of pollution is minor.

Keep the Change

Keep the Change

Keep The Change
Photo: Facebook

On March 10, the 30 foot long fishing tug Keep the Change sank on Stokes Bay on Lake Huron at its berth at Howdenvale, Ontario, Canada. The Keep the Change had been tied up the dock for several years when it sprung a leak and partially sank.  Reports state the vessel had diesel fuel that leaked out when the vessel suffered water ingress. The vessel owner placed an absorbent boom and pads to collect the pollution while the Canadian Coast Guard deployed a containment boom to prevent the diesel fuel spreading.

On March 13, contractors arrived on site and pulled the fishing tug ashore and removed any remaining fuel and oil on board the vessel. Authorities have stated the likely cause of the sinking was poor maintenance of the vessel.

Gary M
Gary M recovered in 2024. Photo: Brucepeninsulapress.com

Reports state this is the third vessel to sink around Stokes Bay in the last year.  On September 5, 2024 the fishing tug Gary M sank at the Stokes Bay dock releasing diesel fuel into the water. Authorities stated that 7,000 litres of polluted water was recovered.