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Boat capsizes, spilling diesel fuel into Prince Rupert harbour

A mid-sized boat, docked to the Metlakatla Ferry Dock capsized at around 4 a.m. early Monday morning, spilling diesel fuel.
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This is all that could be seen of a boat that sank off of the Metlakatla Ferry Dock.

A mid-sized boat, docked to the Metlakatla Ferry Dock capsized at around 4 a.m. early Monday morning, spilling diesel fuel into the harbour in the process.

The alleged owner of the boat, Vern Leask was not present Monday morning to be available for comment.

"It didn't have very much on board," noted Leask's brother, who was at the dock.

The alleged owner's brother said he received a phone call at 5 a.m. Monday morning and responded accordingly. An orange oil boom had been erected to surround the area.

"The Coast Guard was on scene in 20 minutes," said Canadian Coast Guard senior environmental response officer  George Armstrong on Monday.

"The diesel was spilled and mostly dispersed. It's non-recoverable now, and we're just awaiting to raise the vessel."

A larger boat, capable of extracting the vessel from the water was to be expected around midday Monday.

Damage estimates to the boat and bay area were unknown at the time, though the oil slick could be visibly seen from the dock floating east with the tide.