Officials are still trying to figure out how a sailboat went from a Bell Ewart dock to the bottom of Cook’s Bay.
Members of the Canadian Coast Guard and York Regional Police responded to the sinking ship just off the coast of Gilford on Saturday morning.
They found the vessel was leaking several gallons of diesel in the lake. The coast guard deployed a boom and absorbent material in an effort to contain the leak.
"We have the coast guard broadcasting on lake Simcoe marine radio warnings to boaters to stay away from the area," says York Regional Police Staff Sgt. Peter Heard.
Officials did do a search of the boat and didn’t find the owner. Police say they’re not concerned for the owner’s safety, but haven’t been able to get in touch with them
Town officials say the boat was towed into the municipal dock in Bell Ewart a few weeks ago and left there overnight. A few days later, someone moved it to where it is now.
"I'm told it was just a small aluminum fishing boat that towed it from the town dock out to Cook's Bay, where it was anchored," says Innisfil councillor Rob Nicol.
A removal order is expected to be issued by Transport Canada if the owner can’t be located.
