At least one boat is battling the elements in Oak Bay today as winds whip up.
Ryan Brackenbury was forced to run his sailboat aground in McNeill Bay last night after deciding not to brave rip curls. Having lost his anchor, Brackenbury says it was his only choice.
B次元官网网址淚 came to the sandiest point that I could find, and tried to wait it out. I ended out a little rougher than expected,B次元官网网址� Brackenbury said. B次元官网网址淚 left it B次元官网网址榯ill low tide, then came back and it was pretty much capsized full of water. So I winched it back upright, and then back to where it was yesterday. ItB次元官网网址檚 not gonna get too much worse I hope, I donB次元官网网址檛 know.B次元官网网址�
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Brackenbury lives on his 20 foot sail boat, and says pretty much everything he has was on it. Unfortunately, his 20-foot fibreglass sailboat ended up ashore sometime after sundown. He was heading towards the Oak Bay Marina when he found himself in trouble. He stayed with his boat overnight, retrieving his possessions and trying to mitigate damage and keep the area clean. According to C-Tow Captain, Ian Hinkle, Brackenbury did well.
B次元官网网址淭his is a little more unusual because this individual was just transiting the area, and got into trouble. The good news is that he brought the boat to shore,B次元官网网址� Hinkle said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the most important thing. We donB次元官网网址檛 want him to end up on the rocks and in the water.B次元官网网址�
Hinkle said that McNeill Bay doesnB次元官网网址檛 often see many boats washing ashore or ending up derelict because the bay is exposed, has strong tides and can be hard to safely navigate.
Unfortunately, there was not much Hinkle was able to do to help. Even with the heavy winds and amount of water in the boat, he felt it was possible to save the sailboat. But as of 11 a.m, no one had contracted C-Tow for the work. He said C-Tow services can cost a few hundred dollars per hour, which either Brakenbury or Oak Bay would have to pay. The Coast Guard only removes vessels creating navagational hazards or posing environmental risks. Hinkle commended Brakenbury on minimizing any potential environmental impact overnight.
B次元官网网址淭he good news is thereB次元官网网址檚 no oil, or gasoline or hazardous materials on the boat. Those have been removed,B次元官网网址� Hinkle said. B次元官网网址淭he enviromental risk has been lessened.B次元官网网址�
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Brakenbury was going to try and salvage his boat himself before the winds get worse, but if not he plans to stay with his vessel again overnight to mitigate further damage.
Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for much of Vancouver Island as forecasters warn of possible damage caused by strong winds.
Winds between 70 km/h and 90 km/h are expected in Greater Victoria, likely to become stronger Friday afternoon.
Several Alerts in place across BC including Wind, Snowfall & Winter Storm warnings with this incoming . All the details on our warning page:
B次元官网网址� ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC)
c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
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