Fuel spill fouls beach

By Darren Handschuh - CASTANET Sep 25, 2016 / 3:00 pm

The stench of oil and gasoline wafted over Paddlwheel Park Sunday afternoon after a partially capsized boat began leaking hazardous fuels. Bob Montguire, with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, was heading out onto Okanagan Lake from the Vernon Yacht Club with his partner at around 1 p.m. for their regular weekend patrol when they noticed the partially submerged red and white boat that was tied up to the dock. “We decided to check it out, and that's when we smelled the gasoline,” said Montguire from the scene. “A lot of dirty, mucky brown oil came out of it as well.” Montguire called the RCMP who responded along with Vernon Fire Rescue. Fire crews placed more than 100 feet of oil booms as well as absorbent material around the spill and called Ministry of Environment officials to help deal with the matter. VFR Chief Reinhard Mann said the oil slick extended from the yacht club to the far end of Paddlewheel Park. “We have contained the heavy oil and gas from around the boat,” said Mann. “It's leaking from the hull. We will try to absorb as much as we can, but pretty much the whole beach is contaminated. We're not sure how far out (into the lake) it extends.” The smell of gas is noticeable several meters from the water's edge. Mann said there is no way of knowing how much fuel was on the boat or how much has already leaked into the lake. Police will try and track down the owner of the boat. There is no word on how long the boat launch will be closed for or what all the clean up will involve.