Abandoned boat poses hazard near Vancouver

A Howe Sound resident is raising the alarm about a partially sunk abandoned boat that’s posing a potential navigation hazard in the waters northwest of Vancouver.

John Buchanan, of Squamish, B.C., said he first spotted the 15-metre wooden-hulled fishing boat early in January abandoned near Anvil Island, close to Porteau Cove.

Buchanan said he was concerned about pollution and removed some garbage and debris from the wreck. But when he went back a second time, the boat had drifted away.

The vessel, named the El Nino, was later spotted washed up further down the coast near Lions Bay in West Vancouver.

Buchanan said the wreck is dangerous.

"A pleasure craft hits this, people are going to die," he said.

Buchanan said he spoke to the Coast Guard about the vessel and was told it's not in their jurisdiction to deal with it.

He said he got similar responses from BC Ferries and Transport Canada.

A search of the vessel's registration shows an El Nino from  Prince Rupert but its status is "suspended." The owner is not listed.

Someone has now tied the partially sunk boat to the shore near Lions Bay, but there's no telling how long it will stay there.

Buchanan said much of the El Nino can be salvaged, and that may end up having to be done by volunteers.