Houseboat off Westside Road remains afloat after sinking scare

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Photo: Contributed

The house boat is sinking fast, and the owner can't be contacted.

UPDATE: 8:15 p.m.

The houseboat off Westside Road that was taking on water earlier Thursday afternoon remains above water, after the owner was able to pump out water from a pontoon. 

Ted Doucette said he made it to the sinking vessel just before 5 p.m. and quickly got to work. 

"It was a combination of a couple of things, where the snow load was so heavy on it before I shovelled it off on the weekend, that (the water) got high enough that it got into a drain, into one of my pontoons, and filled it up full of water, so it was leaning to that side," Doucette said. 

"And then when it got that low, then one of my engine compartments filled up."

After spending the evening pumping out the pontoon and engine bay, Doucette is now back at home. He plans to get back to work in the light of day, to ensure a similar thing doesn't happen during the next snowfall, which is forecast to begin Friday morning. 

Doucette no longer lives on the vessel full time, but he says he's had it on the lake for the last 15 years. 

UPDATE: 4:25 p.m.

Owner Ted Ducette now knows about the state of his sinking houseboat and he's rushing home, hoping he won’t hit the afternoon traffic on his way.

Ducette says he believes this week’s heavy snowfalls could be the cause. 

“A lot of the weight of the snow that’s been piling up lately has probably pushed it down,” he said. 

ORIGINAL: 4:15 p.m.

A large houseboat off of Bear Creek Provincial Park on the Westside is sinking quickly. 

Burton Marine Pile Driving identified the cause for concern and have tried desperately to contact the owner, but to no avail. 

The house, approximately 30 feet across and 60 feet long, is taking on water quickly.

"The deck is already under water and it's moving", says Mike Doiron, residential sales manager for Burton Marine Pile Driving. 

If you know the owner of the house, please contact Burton Marine Pile Driving.