Nearly three years after a barge carrying a two-story vacation home partially sank off the coast of Quadra Island in British Columbia, plans are finally underway to remove it.

Holly Fink, co-owner of Jade Resort, has observed the situation firsthand since it began in September 2021. She told CBC All points West that the hut had previously looked “quite solid,” but that its condition had deteriorated rapidly since April.

Parts of the building have fallen off and are in the water. A freezer was washed ashore. And a few weeks ago, she said, the roof caved in.

“Watching it was an impressive sight. Actually hearing it was even more impressive than seeing it,” Fink said.

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Management said the province is currently coordinating with Transport Canada to recover the barge as its recent deterioration is spreading debris and posing a risk of further harm to local communities.

Quadra Island lies between Vancouver Island and the mainland, about 200 kilometers northwest of Vancouver.

The condition of the sinking cabin has deteriorated rapidly since April. According to Holly Fink, the roof buckled a few weeks ago. (CHEK News)

The province and Transport Canada will share the cost of the cleanup, which the ministry said will be determined as part of the procurement process. It also said the major cleanup should be completed in the fall.

“We are committed to removing the structure and loose debris in the area as quickly as possible,” the ministry said in a statement to CBC News.

The province said it has now put in place protective barriers to contain the pollution and is working with the We Wai Kai Nation and the Wei Wai Kum Guardians, a group that works to protect and monitor the area’s ecosystem, to ensure that no debris leaves the area.

Daniel Hurry of the Wei Wai Kum Guardians told CBC All points West They monitor the site twice a week to ensure the structural integrity of the containment system. He hopes to have everything cleaned up by mid-October.

“It’s definitely an isolated incident as it’s not an actual contamination from any substance or chemical,” Hurry said, adding that the watchdogs usually deal with diesel or oil spills.

LISTEN | We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum Guardians are working to contain the debris:

He added that after the barge is recovered, the wardens will check whether the seabed or fish habitat is damaged.

Fink is looking forward to the sunken barge finally being recovered from the dock in front of her seaside resort – although she says guests are understanding and even “fascinated” by the situation.

“I would love for everything to go back to normal,” Fink said.

“Our guests are really excited to see it being dismantled. So for the guests who happen to be staying with us, it will be free entertainment while it’s being dismantled. So yeah, we’re very excited.”