A major salvage operation get underway Wednesday to raise a tug that sank early Tuesday morning in the Fraser River.
The City of Vancouver says the George H. Ledcor sank off Deering Island in the Fraser River between midnight and 1 a.m. on Tuesday.
The boat has a large tank onboard, carrying 22,000 litres of fuel.
The exact amount of fuel being spilled is still being assessed at this time.
WATCH: Submerged tugboat carrying large fuel tank sinks in Fraser River
The Coast Guard and city environmental crews are now on scene assessing the situation. A boom has been put in place around the area.
The tug is secured.
For safety reasons, an additional, larger crane and barge will be used to lift the tug on Wednesday. Spill containment equipment and personnel will remain on-site until the lift is completed.
No one is believed to have been hurt.
The spill has forced the closure of a pair of parks along the Fraser River.
McDonald Beach Park in Richmond and Fraser River Park in Vancouver have both been closed.
The City of Richmond and the Vancouver Park Board say those actions are being taken “out of an abundance of caution.”