It doesn’t appear that a submerged boat poses significant risk to Okanagan Lake.
A sunken boat was found at the Paddlewheel Park boat launch Sunday and indications of a fuel spill led to the launch being closed.
“The spill was minor in nature,” said Keith Pinkoski, Regional District of North Okanagan parks manager.
The Canadian Coast Guard has been involved in the case.
“There is no engine on board. However there was a little bit of sheening on the water and boom was placed around the vessel as a precaution,” said Michelle Imbeau, a communications advisor with the Canadian Coast Guard.
“There has been no recoverable product (hydro carbon) observed.”
The Coast Guard has given approval to local government to remove the boat from the water, and the park reopened Tuesday morning.
It’s still not known how the boat wound up at the boat launch.
“This vessel is a derelict vessel with no owner and no markings,” said Imbeau.
Because ownership remains a mystery, the cost of cleanup will be absorbed by taxpayers.
“If we can’t find a registered owner, the cost will be born by the regional district,” said Pinkoski.