A serious marine collision between a large container ship and a small pleasure boat occurred in English Bay on Sunday morning, prompting an emergency response and investigation by federal authorities.
Emergency Response in West Vancouver Waters
The Vancouver Police Department's marine unit received an emergency broadcast about the collision at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. The incident occurred southeast of Lighthouse Park at the southern tip of West Vancouver, according to VPD spokesman Sgt. Steve Addison.
The container ship involved was identified as the Ever Sigma, while the smaller vessel was a private pleasure craft carrying two people. Following the impact, the pleasure boat began taking on water, creating an urgent situation for those onboard.
Rescue Operation and Towing to Safety
VPD marine patrol officers quickly responded to the scene and transported the two individuals from the damaged pleasure craft to shore aboard their police vessel. The compromised boat required towing to prevent it from sinking completely.
Both occupants of the pleasure craft were safely brought to land and did not require immediate medical attention according to initial reports. The damaged vessel was successfully towed to shore without further incident.
Federal Investigation Launched
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed a team of investigators to determine the cause of the collision. In an official notice of deployment, the TSB confirmed they are sending investigators to the Port of Vancouver to begin their examination.
Vancouver Police have deferred the investigation to the TSB, which is standard procedure for marine incidents of this nature. The federal agency will examine all factors that may have contributed to the collision between the massive container vessel and the smaller recreational boat.
The incident highlights the challenges of shared waterway usage in busy Vancouver harbor areas, where large commercial vessels and recreational boaters often navigate in close proximity. The investigation will likely examine visibility conditions, communication between vessels, and adherence to marine navigation rules.
