Vancouver police and the Transportation Safety Board are investigating after two runaway barges damaged several boats and structures in Coal Harbour.
Just after 5 a.m. on Boxing Day, two heavy barges moored in North Vancouver became loose and drifted towards Burrard Inlet. Over an hour later, a vessel from Vancouver Police Department’s marine unit responded to a 911 call after the barges — described as about the size of a soccer field and loaded with containers — struck several boats and structures in and around Coal Harbour Marina, damaging two luxury yachts, a seaplane base and a restaurant.
Using the police vessel, officers were able to push the barges to prevent any further damage until two local tug boats and two Port of Vancouver vessels arrived just after 8 a.m. and pulled the barges back to North Vancouver.
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
No one was injured but damage is estimated at well over $1 million.
“Vancouver Police will be investigating the damage to the Coal Harbour structures and vessels, and working with the Transportation Safety Board on their part of the investigation,” media relations officer Sgt. Jason Robillard said in an email.
@JessicaEKerr
