Image Credit: Contributed/Facebook

By Victor Kaisar

Derelict Barge

Transport Canada says efforts underway to remove derelict barge from South Thompson River

Sep 7, 2025 | 4:31 PM

KAMLOOPS — Federal officials say efforts to transfer ownership of a listing barge in the South Thompson River are currently underway, as the derelict vessel draws the attention — and ire — of some people in the Kamloops area.

In a statement to CFJC Today, Transport Canada said officers from its Navigation Protection Program have attended the vessel — which is near Kokanee Way — on multiple occasions over the past year, most recently in April.

A process to transfer possession of the vessel to a new owner, under Section 38 of the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act (WAHVA) has begun,” Transport Canada spokesperson Flavio Nienow said in an email. “The Act outlines the responsibilities of vessel owners and of the Government of Canada regarding derelict vessels.”

“Transport Canada understands that the vessel will be moved to a new location once this process is completed.”

According to the Aug. 14 notice, the Minister of Transport may authorize Riverside Docks to take possession of the vessel — a 40-foot crane barge used for pile driving — if the current owner(s) do not come forward and “take concrete measures” within 30 days.

TWO & OUT

PETERS: Celebration from Iranian ex-pats speaks louder than our skepticism of Trump

7h ago

LOOPED IN

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: March 5, 2026

Mar 05, 2026

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Supporting British Columbians through the Strategic Investment Fund

Mar 05, 2026

Nienow confirmed that the 30-day period will end this Saturday (Sept. 13), adding this process is intended to authorize a new owner of the vessel, should the current owner not take action.

“Transport Canada is actively assessing the situation to determine the appropriate next steps in accordance with applicable legislation and policies,” he said.

Several area residents have contacted CFJC Today in recent days to inquire about the status of the barge, adding they fear an environmental risk if the barge leaks diesel or other fluids into the South Thompson River.

“It’s tipping over and it has been there for three years and now we have a salmon run that’s coming through,” one caller to CFJC said. “It’s got hydraulic fluids, its probably got diesel in it and its looks like it’ll flip over in the river there.”

“I’ve been in touch with the people responsible and I’ve been getting the runaround and basically what they want me to do is wait until there is a sheen of diesel on the water and then they’re going to act,” another caller said. “To me that seems ridiculous. At the very least, they should make sure it doesn’t sink.”

“For the longest time, I’ve been going between Pritchard and Kamloops and it’s sitting on an angle,” added another. “It’s polluting out watershed and it needs to be moved as that river feeds our water intake.”

“The way I see it, the barge need to be dragged out and the bill sent to the owner,” the third caller added. “Enough is enough is how these companies destroy our environment as this is the water for everybody down river.”

Nienow told CFJC that the barge is not currently assessed as a wrecked vessel and its also not considered to be an obstruction to navigation under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (CNWA).

“The conditions for a vessel to be deemed as wrecked are outlined in Part 2 of WAHVA where it defines a wreck as a vessel, or part of a vessel, that is sunk, partially sunk, adrift, stranded or grounded, including on the shore,” Nienow said.

“The vessel in question does not meet this definition as it is currently secured and floating.”

In a separate statement to CFJC Today, the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks said it has also been actively tracking this incident, in partnership with Transport Canada, which is the lead agency.

“Our regional response officers have been actively engaged — primarily in a facilitation and communication role — helping ensure Transport Canada’s actions and updates are shared with local partners, including the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc Nation,” the provincial statement said.

The province also said it has had staff attend the site of the barge on multiple occasions, most recently on Aug. 20.

“The ministry continues to monitor the situation to ensure public safety and the protection of the environment,” the statement added.

“Transport Canada is working with a local company to take possession of the barge, following its abandonment by the bankruptcy trustee.”