English Bay barge to be broken down and removed in pieces
Global News
The barge broke loose from its mooring amid intense winds on Nov. 15, part of the same storm that devastated B.C. highways, and has been lodged at Sunset Beach ever since.
The barge that has been stranded on Vancouver’s Sunset Beach since running aground in November’s powerful storm will be broken down into pieces for removal, according to its owner.
The barge broke loose from its mooring in the midst of intense winds on Nov. 15, part of the same storm that devastated B.C. highways and flooded communities in the Fraser Valley and Southern Interior.
Sentry Marine Towing says it is still waiting for permits and approval from multiple entities, including the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Park Board, WorkSafeBC and local first nations, but hopes to begin work within the next 30 days.
The company said a contractor crew will then begin cutting the barge into smaller pieces, which will be slowly loaded out by sea on a flat barge.
That work could take between 45 and 60 days.
The decision to break the barge down into pieces was based on risk, the company said. The cost of refloating it or cutting it up were about equivalent, but a refloating attempt comes with the risk the barge could sink.
The company says it has taken extensive precautions to protect against environmental damage, including assessments with environmental consultants, testing the paint on the barge for toxicity, and implementing plans to contain any dust, debris or spillage during the work.
The area around the barge will be fenced off during the work, it said.
