Vernon boat launch back open after half-sunk boat forces closure

VERNON – A capsized boat is no longer causing issues at a Vernon boat launch.

The boat was discovered overturned at the Paddlewheel Park boat launch on Okanagan Lake over the weekend, prompting authorities to close the launch and ask members of the public to avoid the area.

The half-submerged boat leaked an undetermined amount of fuel into the lake.

As of Tuesday morning, deputy Vernon fire chief Jack Blair says the issue has been resolved and the launch is back open.

Due to the nature of the incident, various levels of government including the Ministry of Transportation and Canadian Coast Guard were involved in addition to the City of Vernon and North Okanagan Regional District, city spokesperson Tanya Laing Gahr said.

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