The fate of a fishing boat at Sapperton Landing Park is as clear as the water in which it sits.
The boat has been sitting partially submerged in the Fraser River since December 2011. Metro Vancouver, which maintains the regional park, has informed the City of New Westminster and the Harbour Commission about the vessel.
"That floating dock does not belong to Metro Vancouver," said Alan Taylor, operations supervisor for Metro Vancouver Parks. "It belongs to the Brunette Creek Fishermen's Society. It used to be an old government wharf at one time. It is theirs to look after. It is attached to our shore."
Dealing with the sunken boat is a bit of a conundrum as concerns have been raised about liability issues and the cost of removing the boat.
"A guy came up with the boat, tied it to the dock and gave one of the fishermen a cell number," Taylor said. "They were never able to contact him. It has been sitting there ever since."
Taylor said police have been notified of the boat's presence at the dock.
"I know the RCMP have been notified, just in case it was a stolen boat," he said. "There is no number on the boat. Most vessels in B.C. have to have a number on the boat."
According to Taylor, the fishermen's society doesn't have the authority to pull up and scrap the vessel.
A New Westminster resident called The Record to express concern about the sunken boat and the potential for leaking fuel.
"I don't believe that should still be sitting in the water," said the resident, who asked that his name not be published. "I walk down there all the time - I can't believe it's still there. It's been there for a long time. I believe it needs to be dealt with and taken away."
Taylor said Metro Vancouver has seen no indication that fuel has been leaking from the boat, which has been sitting on the river bottom since December. Noting the water isn't Metro Vancouver's jurisdiction, he said it's unclear who would pay to have a marine salvage company retrieve the vessel.
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