“We generally see (boats sinking) this time of year, but definitely not to this degree.”
Jeremy Birch, operations manager at Mad Props Marine, was called into Steveston to recover two sunken boats from the icy waters this past winter holiday.
But this was not a normal year for Birch and his company.
The Ladner business owner said there have been an increasing amount of calls this holiday compared to previous years.
Birch received a total of nine calls across Metro Vancouver regarding sunken vessels since Boxing Day, two of which were in Steveston.
He told the Richmond News that the two boats in Steveston both sunk a day apart during “the -13C weather” and said it was something he has “never seen before.”
“We’ve never seen so many boats sink during an actual freeze since we generally see them sink when they thaw,” said Birch.
The sinking of the boat was caused by a “quick freeze,” which is when boats freeze up so quickly that it expands almost immediately, he added.
The first vessel, said Birch, sunk due to damage to its cable throttle, the connection between speed control and the engine, and other parts.
A second vessel, also in Steveston, had its raw water sea strainer, a bowl that filters dirt and debris from entering the boat, crack.
“The freezing of the water, the neglect of the vessels, and people not preparing them for winter and winterization causes things such as pipes or anywhere on the boat that deals with water,” said Birch.
“When things freeze up, it expands and cracks the pipes. As soon the ice thaws, the boat then sinks.”
Boat owners are being reminded that they need to prepare for the winter season well in-advance such as placing heaters in their boats by mid-November to prevent water in the pipes of their boats from freezing.
Another option, said Birch, is for owners to remove their vessels from the water completely.
“It’s satisfying after pulling the boats out of the waters and it’s rewarding once we get it accomplished and have the site cleaned up and everything put away,” he said.
“We’re not just helping vessel owners recover their property, but at the same time we’re helping to clean up the environment in a timely manner.”
