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The Province
11-05-2025
- General
- The Province
Derelict former B.C. ferry Queen of Sidney burns: What happens now?
The vessel once known as the Queen of Sidney burned while moored in the Fraser River on May 3. What can authorities do about the wreck? A derelict B.C. ferry moored offshore in Mission caught fire early on May 3, 2025, engulfing the old Queen of Sidney in flames and sending huge plumes of black smoke into the air. Photo by The City of Mission When a derelict former B.C. ferry burned while moored in the Fraser River last weekend, it was a reminder of the intractable problem of abandoned wrecks and washed-up boats of indeterminate ownership in waterways all over the province. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Mission Fire Rescue Service, the RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard and officials from the B.C. Ministry of Environment all responded to the blaze, which destroyed the already dilapidated former Queen of Sidney. Environment Ministry spokesman David Karn said the boat was moored about 15 to 20 metres offshore and that the fire was contained to the ferry without causing pollution — other than the toxic smoke that led to a stay-indoors order for nearby Mission residents as the ferry smouldered in the early hours of May 3. The Queen of Sidney was retired as a ferry 25 years ago and has been tied up in the Mission area in the two decades since. B.C. Ferries sold the decommissioned ship to a private owner in 2002 and no longer bears responsibility for the vessel. But Ceilidh Marlow, a spokesperson for B.C. Ferries, said the boat, like dozens of other obsolete vessels, was languishing in something of a boat graveyard because recycling them is difficult and expensive. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A postcard circa 1960s of the B.C. Ferries vessel Queen of Sidney. Photo by Public Domain / Flickr Disposal is a major challenge: B.C. Ferries 'Responsibility for any vessel rests with the registered owner, including decisions related to moorage, upkeep and end-of-life disposal,' said Marlow in an email. Owners must make sure vessels are safely and legally disposed of, a process that is highly regulated to manage the environmental risks, she said. 'One of the major challenges in responsibly disposing of vessels — whether privately or publicly owned — is the lack of fully certified ship recycling facilities on the west coast,' said Marlow. 'This is a growing issue that affects not only B.C. Ferries, but also other public agencies and private owners.' Marlow said without local options, owners are left with the task of transporting them to other regions, often across the country, which is complex and costly. The lack of reliable local recyclers is a 'known issue, and one we continue to flag as part of broader discussions on environmental stewardship and end-of-life vessel management,' she said. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. With more ferry vessels due for retirement over the next decade, Marlow noted, the ferry service is making recycling and disposal a priority and has pushed for provincially recognized ship recycling infrastructure to be expanded locally. A boat graveyard that includes the former B.C. ferry on the Fraser River in Mission, pictured in 2010. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO / PNG Boat graveyard was a known nuisance The ferry that burned is moored off a property on Cooper Avenue in Mission that is owned by Bob and Gerald Tapp. They have, over the years, collected a fleet that includes the ferry and several other dilapidated boats that were either bought or abandoned there by others. The City of Mission has been trying for more than a decade to get federal and provincial agencies to deal with the potential environmental hazards of the boat graveyard, with little success. 'Given existing laws and the fact the (ferry) is not 'abandoned,' we are told there is not much that can be done,' said Mission chief administrative officer Mike Younie. The city tried to arrange a scrap metal deal with the Tapps several years ago, but it collapsed at the last minute, he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In 2012, the ferry and the other boats off Cooper Avenue were flagged as a concern during high water flows, but there was no plan to remove them — only to ensure they didn't break away from moorage and create a safety hazard. And indeed, the big boat would be dangerous if it became unmoored. The Queen of Sidney was a 102-metre, 3,127-tonne ship when in operation. It went into service between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay in 1960 and was the first ferry to sail under B.C.'s new official flag. Bob Tapp aboard the scrapped B.C. Ferries Queen of Sidney in Mission in December 2010. The former ferry has been over the years as a film location, including an episode of The X-Files. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO / PNG Coast guard found ferry not a pollutant Two years ago, the Canadian Coast Guard assessed the Queen of Sidney — perhaps ironically now christened the MV Bad Adventure — to determine whether it posed an environmental hazard. At the time, it was found to be 'a low risk to pollute under both the Canadian Shipping Act and the Wrecked Abandoned Hazardous Vessels Act, as there were no bulk pollutants on board,' said a coast guard spokesperson. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That may be largely because the ship had been stripped. Soon after it was retired as a ferry, it was bought by Art Klassen of Abbotsford, who paid $100,000 for it then hauled out copper wire, generators and other fittings to recoup the investment. Now that it's a burnt-out wreck, there are plans to 'conduct a more thorough onboard assessment, with a specialized hazardous environment response team, in the near future,' said the coast guard. But early assessments have shown it doesn't appear to be causing pollution at the moment. Fines are possible, but rarely imposed The coast guard said it will board the vessel once the scene is fully cleared by the RCMP, who are investigating the cause of the fire. So far, there are no signs it was arson. Any hazard-related costs, like cleanup, repairs or remediation done by the coast guard, are the responsibility of the owners under federal legislation. However, abandoning a vessel in Canadian waters only became illegal in 2019, and an inventory of abandoned and wrecked vessels wasn't established until 2022. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That leaves the coast guard playing catchup, sifting through and trying to manage an inventory of over 2,000 boats reported wrecked or abandoned in Canadian waters. As of March 2024, 1,389 vessels remained on the list, while federal authorities had removed 791 others. So far, the Canadian Coast Guard has levied only five fines since the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessel Act took effect. Burned ferry is still being assessed While municipal police and fire departments, provincial ministries and agencies like B.C. Ferries might be involved in trying to manage derelict boats, the wrecks are ultimately the responsibility of the federal government. Under the act, owners 'are liable for the costs of addressing hazardous vessels, and enforcement measures can be taken against them to ensure compliance,' said Transport Canada spokesperson Sau Sau Liu. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Liu said the response to the fire aboard the Queen of Sidney/Bad Adventure is being led so far by the RCMP and B.C. Ministry of Environment. Depending on the outcome of the early assessments, Transport Canada might be called in to decide if further action is warranted under either the abandoned vessel act or the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, which restricts what kind of work can be done on, over or under navigable waters. 'Transport Canada reminds vessel owners they remain responsible for their vessels and any related costs under federal law,' said Liu. Other derelict vessels on the list have languished in B.C. waters for decades, such as the MV Spudnik, a U.S. navy freighter removed from the Fraser River in 2020, and the cargo vessel Mini Fusion, a human smuggling ship formerly known as the MV Ocean Lady, which was removed from Desolation Sound in B.C. last year. With files from Postmedia News, The Canadian Press, and research from Carolyn Soltau jruttle@ Read More Sports Sports Vancouver Canucks News News
Vancouver Sun
11-05-2025
- General
- Vancouver Sun
Derelict former B.C. ferry Queen of Sidney burns: What happens now?
When a derelict former B.C. ferry burned while moored in the Fraser River last weekend, it was a reminder of the intractable problem of abandoned wrecks and washed-up boats of indeterminate ownership in waterways all over the province. Mission Fire Rescue Service, the RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard and officials from the B.C. Ministry of Environment all responded to the blaze, which destroyed the already dilapidated former Queen of Sidney. Environment Ministry spokesman David Karn said the boat was moored about 15 to 20 metres offshore and that the fire was contained to the ferry without causing pollution — other than the toxic smoke that led to a stay-indoors order for nearby Mission residents as the ferry smouldered in the early hours of May 3. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Queen of Sidney was retired as a ferry 25 years ago and has been tied up in the Mission area in the two decades since. B.C. Ferries sold the decommissioned ship to a private owner in 2002 and no longer bears responsibility for the vessel. But Ceilidh Marlow, a spokesperson for B.C. Ferries, said the boat, like dozens of other obsolete vessels, was languishing in something of a boat graveyard because recycling them is difficult and expensive. 'Responsibility for any vessel rests with the registered owner, including decisions related to moorage, upkeep and end-of-life disposal,' said Marlow in an email. Owners must make sure vessels are safely and legally disposed of, a process that is highly regulated to manage the environmental risks, she said. 'One of the major challenges in responsibly disposing of vessels — whether privately or publicly owned — is the lack of fully certified ship recycling facilities on the west coast,' said Marlow. 'This is a growing issue that affects not only B.C. Ferries, but also other public agencies and private owners.' Marlow said without local options, owners are left with the task of transporting them to other regions, often across the country, which is complex and costly. The lack of reliable local recyclers is a 'known issue, and one we continue to flag as part of broader discussions on environmental stewardship and end-of-life vessel management,' she said. With more ferry vessels due for retirement over the next decade, Marlow noted, the ferry service is making recycling and disposal a priority and has pushed for provincially recognized ship recycling infrastructure to be expanded locally. The ferry that burned is moored off a property on Cooper Avenue in Mission that is owned by Bob and Gerald Tapp. They have, over the years, collected a fleet that includes the ferry and several other dilapidated boats that were either bought or abandoned there by others. The City of Mission has been trying for more than a decade to get federal and provincial agencies to deal with the potential environmental hazards of the boat graveyard, with little success. 'Given existing laws and the fact the (ferry) is not 'abandoned,' we are told there is not much that can be done,' said Mission chief administrative officer Mike Younie. The city tried to arrange a scrap metal deal with the Tapps several years ago, but it collapsed at the last minute, he said. In 2012, the ferry and the other boats off Cooper Avenue were flagged as a concern during high water flows, but there was no plan to remove them — only to ensure they didn't break away from moorage and create a safety hazard. And indeed, the big boat would be dangerous if it became unmoored. The Queen of Sidney was a 102-metre, 3,127-tonne ship when in operation. It went into service between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay in 1960 and was the first ferry to sail under B.C.'s new official flag. Two years ago, the Canadian Coast Guard assessed the Queen of Sidney — perhaps ironically now christened the MV Bad Adventure — to determine whether it posed an environmental hazard. At the time, it was found to be 'a low risk to pollute under both the Canadian Shipping Act and the Wrecked Abandoned Hazardous Vessels Act, as there were no bulk pollutants on board,' said a coast guard spokesperson. That may be largely because the ship had been stripped. Soon after it was retired as a ferry, it was bought by Art Klassen of Abbotsford, who paid $100,000 for it then hauled out copper wire, generators and other fittings to recoup the investment. Now that it's a burnt-out wreck, there are plans to 'conduct a more thorough onboard assessment, with a specialized hazardous environment response team, in the near future,' said the coast guard. But early assessments have shown it doesn't appear to be causing pollution at the moment. The coast guard said it will board the vessel once the scene is fully cleared by the RCMP, who are investigating the cause of the fire. So far, there are no signs it was arson. Any hazard-related costs, like cleanup, repairs or remediation done by the coast guard, are the responsibility of the owners under federal legislation. However, abandoning a vessel in Canadian waters only became illegal in 2019, and an inventory of abandoned and wrecked vessels wasn't established until 2022. That leaves the coast guard playing catchup, sifting through and trying to manage an inventory of over 2,000 boats reported wrecked or abandoned in Canadian waters. As of March 2024, 1,389 vessels remained on the list, while federal authorities had removed 791 others. So far, the Canadian Coast Guard has levied only five fines since the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessel Act took effect. While municipal police and fire departments, provincial ministries and agencies like B.C. Ferries might be involved in trying to manage derelict boats, the wrecks are ultimately the responsibility of the federal government. Under the act, owners 'are liable for the costs of addressing hazardous vessels, and enforcement measures can be taken against them to ensure compliance,' said Transport Canada spokesperson Sau Sau Liu. Liu said the response to the fire aboard the Queen of Sidney/Bad Adventure is being led so far by the RCMP and B.C. Ministry of Environment. Depending on the outcome of the early assessments, Transport Canada might be called in to decide if further action is warranted under either the abandoned vessel act or the Canadian Navigable Waters Act , which restricts what kind of work can be done on, over or under navigable waters. 'Transport Canada reminds vessel owners they remain responsible for their vessels and any related costs under federal law,' said Liu. Other derelict vessels on the list have languished in B.C. waters for decades, such as the MV Spudnik, a U.S. navy freighter removed from the Fraser River in 2020, and the cargo vessel Mini Fusion, a human smuggling ship formerly known as the MV Ocean Lady, which was removed from Desolation Sound in B.C. last year. With files from Postmedia News, The Canadian Press, and research from Carolyn Soltau jruttle@
Global News
06-05-2025
- General
- Global News
Cleaning up torched Queen of Sidney could take years, millions of dollars, experts say
Cleaning up the wreckage of a derelict former B.C. ferry that went up in flames this weekend could take years and millions of dollars, experts say. The former Queen of Sidney was retired from BC Ferries' fleet in 2000, and has been more on the Fraser River in Mission since it was sold in 2002 to Gerald Tapp. On Saturday morning, it was consumed by flames, sending a massive column of toxic smoke into the air and forcing hundreds of people to shelter in place. 1:59 Derelict Queen of Sidney ferry burns in overnight fire The wreck now represents a potentially significant environmental hazard. Story continues below advertisement But cleaning it up could prove both time-consuming and difficult, according to the B.C.-based Dead Boad Disposal Society. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Group co-founder John Roe said if the vessel is not sinking or leaking the Coast Guard will hand it off to Transport Canada. 'They will do an assessment and then they will look for money from the federal government to fix this,' he said. 'You are looking at probably $15 million to $20 million.' 1:38 Residents asked to stay indoors after fire guts derelict ferry in B.C.'s Fraser River The District of Mission has been trying to deal with the ferry's owners for years, but with no luck. Roe said Transport Canada will try and recover the cleanup costs from the vessel's owner through the courts, but that taxpayers will likely end up footing the bill. Story continues below advertisement In a statement, the federal government said a 2023 inspection of the vessel found no significant pollutants on board. Inspectors are now conducting an on-water inspection from a pollution and public safety standpoint. Further complicating the process is that British Columbia lacks the facilities to properly deal with vessels like the Queen of Sidney — meaning it is often easier for owners to abandon them than to properly dispose of them. 'This is a symptom of a bigger problem. We don't have any certified deconstruction facilities on the coast,' said Joe Spears, principal of Horseshoe Bay Marine Group. 'We need to build a facility where you can deal with all the toxic substances.' Spears said Ottawa's last survey of derelict vessels in Canada found some 1,700 nationwide, with about 70 per cent in British Columbia alone. 'It's the owner's responsibility, this 'polluter pays,' but if the owner isn't able to deal with this, then it's up to the government of Canada,' he said. Mission's mayor plans to introduce an emergency motion at council on Monday in an effort to pressure senior levels of government to take action.
Global News
03-05-2025
- General
- Global News
RCMP called in as derelict ferry burns after ‘suspicious' blaze overnight
The RCMP has launched an investigation into the circumstances of a suspicious fire that saw a derelict former BC Ferries ship catch fire and burn wildly overnight near Mission, B.C. A statement from the City of Mission said its emergency operations centre was activated early Saturday after a fire aboard the Queen of Sidney ferry, which is currently sitting in the waters of the Fraser River, approximately two kilometres from the municipality of 41,500 people. RCMP in Mission said in a statement that Mission firefighters notified them of the fire around 2 a.m. Saturday. The vessel was completely engulfed in flames. Both police and the city urged residents nearby to remain inside because of smoke and the potential presence of hazardous airborne materials. Residents near the blaze were also advised to keep their doors and windows closed and turn off ventilation systems that bring in outside air. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen The Queen of Sidney burned through the night in Mission, B.C. Global News The retired BC Ferries vessel was in operation from 1960 until its retirement in 2000. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Its current owners, who renamed it Bad Adventure, have reportedly had a long history of squabbles with local and provincial politicians. Mission said that following a co-ordination call earlier Saturday, multiple agencies are actively engaged in managing the situation and what happens to the ship next. These include the Mission Fire Rescue Service, the provincial and federal ministries of environment, the RCMP, and the Canadian Coast Guard. The Canadian Coast Guard is deploying to the scene to assist with marine and environmental safety operations, the city said. View image in full screen Global News On its website, the City of Mission said the cause of the fire had not been determined but added it 'is considered suspicious.' It did not elaborate. Story continues below advertisement The RCMP added: 'At this time there is nothing to indicate the fire was intentionally set, although due to the hazardous nature of the smoke and the overall condition of the vessel, investigators have not been able to board the former ferry.' Mission authorities said the fire was under control by mid-afternoon but warned that the mass of charred metal would continue to smolder for several more days. The fire onboard the derelict ship represents a tragic, undignified end for a once storied vessel. The ferry was one of the first two first ordered built by then-B.C. premier W.A.C. Bennett when he created the BC Ferries Crown corporation in 1958. During its maiden voyage two years later, Bennett also introduced British Columbia's new provincial flag after pulling it out of a suitcase and running it up the mast. Story continues below advertisement
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Residents asked to stay indoors after fire guts derelict ferry in B.C.'s Fraser River
Nearby residents were asked to stay indoors to avoid exposure to hazardous emissions after a large fire in Mission, B.C. gutted the derelict 'Queen of Sidney' ferry that had been docked on the Fraser River. Authorities do not believe the fire was the result of arson.
