Sailboat still sitting at bottom of St. John River, two months after removal deadline
CBC
With boating season in full swing, it's high time to remove a sunken sailboat from the St. John River, says one Greenwich resident.
"It's beyond time," said Rob Thom, calling it a marine hazard.
"Stop using it as a re-election tactic and publicity stunt. Get it out."
The owner has had more than enough time to remove the boat, he said.
"Some governing body should step up and make sure it happens," said Thom on Thursday.
Until that happens, he said, the vessel will continue to present a danger to other boaters.
The visibility of the two masts — which are all that remain above the water's surface — is highly dependent on lighting conditions, he said. On some days even those who know the boat is there have trouble spotting the masts, he said.
"And of course nothing is [visible] at night," he said.
Residents on both sides of the St. John River have been watching the sailboat since last fall. As winter approached, many wondered why the double-masted vessel remained moored in the water.
By January, ice had formed around the boat. But its owner, Jordan Tatton, dismissed concerns about the ice, saying he was confident the sturdy vessel could survive the winter.
On Feb. 13, Thom noticed the boat slowly starting to sink into the ice. Before long, with an early breakup of the ice, it was sitting on the bottom.
Transport Canada gave Tatton until April 30 to remove it.
When that deadline came and went — and with the owner making some attempts to lift the boat — Transport Canada said it "remains engaged with the owner to ensure the removal of the vessel."
On May 1, officers "assessed" the boat "and confirmed the owner has taken initial steps to remove the vessel with the installation of lift bags."