A sailboat remained grounded at Willows Beach on Friday, after the owner tried unsuccessfully to get it off the beach during high tide.
“He’s stuck on that sand and the wind has been pretty strong,” said Oak Bay police Sgt. Manuel Montero.
“He tried to get it off at high tide, but the wind has been pushing it back.”
The Canadian Coast Guard advised people to stay clear of the sailboat, which washed up on Thursday morning.
The coast guard’s marine and environmental hazard response specialists have assessed the vessel as a hazard due to its proximity to the park and playground, said spokeswoman Kiri Westnedge.
The owner will try to refloat his vessel again over the weekend when higher tides are forecast. The coast guard will continue to monitor the situation over the weekend, said Westnedge.
“If the owner is unable to remove their vessel, we may proceed with further action under the Wrecked Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act,” she said.
