UPDATE: “Spirit of Kelowna” sinking may be suspicious

UPDATE: Global Okanagan spoke with current caretaker of the paddle wheeler, who wanted to remain anonymous. He says the boat had recently been inspected and there was nothing found wrong with it. He believes the sinking is suspicious and suspects foul play. The RCMP are investigating but haven’t released any details on what may have caused the Spirit of Kelowna to sink. Unfortunately, the owner doesn’t have insurance, but one shred of good news is no one was on board at the time. The owner is in the process of figuring out how to remove the boat from the water. 

Possession of the paddle wheeler recently switched hands. It was owned by Doug Mayzes, but he sold it a few months ago. He issued a press release to the media Sunday.

“I am very deeply saddened and shaken by this development.  This is a very unfortunate situation for me given that The Spirit of Kelowna was a dream of mine to take visitors and locals alike for rides on a real working sidewheeler” said Mayzes.

The boat was actually for sale again by the current owner, with an ad posted on an online classified just a month ago. There’s no word if there are plans to fix to paddle wheeler.

WEST KELOWNA — After less than two years in operation, an Okanagan paddle wheel tour boat has gone under.

“The Spirit of Kelowna” sank in Okanagan Lake, off the shore of Kalamoir Park Sunday morning. The Regional Rescue boat responded to the call at around 8:30 a.m.

The 75-passenger vessel launched in June of 2012 at the command of Captain and boat builder, Doug Mayzes.

Mayzes turned the hull of a surplus US naval lifeboat into a working sidewheeler.

There is no word on what caused the boat to sink.

West Kelowna RCMP say it is in a shallow section of the lake and poses no threat or navigational hazard.

Police say it is up to the owner to remove it.