Shuswap posted Nov 18, 2024 @ 12:23pm by Cheyanna Lorraine

'Spirit of Kelowna' paddle-wheeler pulled from Shuswap Lake

A 62-foot paddle-wheeler was recently removed from Shuswap Lake after sinking four years ago.

According to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), the paddle-wheeler, named Spirit of Kelowna, sank in January 2020 near Celista and was abandoned by the owner.

The CSRD, Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada were made aware of the situation and an investigation was launched.

<who> Photo Credit: CSRD

On Aug. 29, Transport Canada issued a $26,600 penalty to the owner for failing to comply with prohibitions against vessel abandonment.

That day, the owner was notified of the ministry’s intent to dispose of the vessel.

On Oct. 3, 2023, a Shuswap-area marine recovery company removed the vessel and took it to a marina in Sicamous so it can be dismantled, the CSRD says.

Once it is broken down, it will be taken to a local landfill to be disposed of.

“We’re committed to protecting Canada’s waters from the environmental and safety risks posed by abandoned vessels,” said Anita Anand, Minister of Transport.

‘That’s why we’re using all the tools at our disposal to hold vessel owners accountable and keep our lakes and rivers clean.”

This is the second boat in a little over a year to be recovered from Shuswap Lake. In June 2023, the CSRd recovered a century-old after it sank in January 2022.

Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].