Leaking boat lifted from canal

A 44-TON sunken fishing boat has been carefully craned out of Exeter Canal after it sparked an oil clean up.

The spillage has now been tackled, but the owner of the boat is still being sought as the council aims to recoup costs associated with the incident.

The ageing vessel, which had reportedly been in the Canal near Gabriel’s Wharf for 15 years, was removed by a crane this week, after it sunk overnight between October 29 and October 30.

Contractors brought in by Exeter City Council have been working to mop up the oil that spilled from the vessel. As the boat sunk overnight, oil had travelled all the way from Gabriel’s Wharf to the Canal Basin before it was reported to authorities. Staff from the Council’s canal team were on the scene within ten minutes and the Environment Agency notified after the pollution was noticed by a member of the public. Booms to contain the spillage and a closure at the King’s Arm gates were temporarily put in place.

Remaining oil and diesel has been pumped out of the boat, which is now on dry land. Cllr Ruth Williams praised council staff for their rapid response.