The McBarge is sinking.
The vessel served as a McDonald’s restaurant on False Creek during Expo 86 but has sat empty ever since.
Now it appears it is heading to the bottom of the Fraser River.
In 2017, owner Howard Meakin told Global News that he envisioned the McBarge as a facility that could highlight Canada’s advances in undersea and deepwater technology.
However, those plans fell through and the McBarge remained empty.
It is unclear now who owns the vessel. Global News has reached out to Meakin.
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The McBarge, which is officially known as the Friendship 500, was moored during Expo in Vancouver’s False Creek. It was intended to be a McDonald’s after the fair ended, but the deal fell through.
In a statement, the Ministry of Environment said it is aware of the vessel’s status.
“The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) previously referred the vessel to Transport Canada Navigation Protection Program for their assessment,” the ministry said.
“TC has been updated on the new status of the Seaborne II.
“The vessel was assessed by the CCG in late 2023 and was deemed to have no pollutants on board.
“Transport Canada is the lead regulator at this time, and we will continue to monitor the status.”
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