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- Feb 3 - Cleanup underway after 3 yachts sink in Sidney
Feb 3 - Cleanup underway after 3 yachts sink in Sidney
Victoria councillors want stronger regulations for marine scrubber water emissions.
Capital Daily Team
February 03, 2026
Good morning !
There are two stories about fires included in our newsletter today, one in Sidney and one in Saanich. These emergencies are certainly scary, but thankfully, no people were hurt.
The causes of both are still under investigation, though police say the Saanich fire is considered suspicious.
— Robyn
Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Spill response crews deployed after three yachts
sank in Sidney marina fire
Photo courtesy of Todd Rayner / This is Sidney Facebook page.
Spill response crews spent much of yesterday containing and collecting spilled diesel from three yachts that sank on Sunday after a fire tore through the vessels moored at Van Isle Marina in Sidney.
No one was reported injured in the early-morning fire that belched thick, black smoke into the air, which was easily seen from far distances.
The response team of 19 crew members established containment by deploying a boom, which remains in place to prevent further spread of the fuel, Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) spokesperson Michael Lowry told Capital Daily.
“Once the containment was secure, the crew transitioned to recovery operations—so there was enough diesel in the water for us to recover using both skimmers and absorbents, and these activities are ongoing as we speak,” he said.
Lowry could not say how much diesel had spilled, but Sidney Fire estimated each boat had a 2K-gallon diesel tank, in addition to propane and gas.
WCMRC, a response organization funded by the oil sector and certified by Transport Canada, didn’t have far to go in deploying three craft to the fire scene, as the marina is one of its bases, Lowry said.
Salvage operations to recover the heavily damaged vessels will take place today, he said.
“As they lift the vessels out of the water, there could be some more oil that comes out.”
Sidney Fire was first on scene, responding to a call at 7:31am, and when they got to the marina, they found three 70-foot yachts on fire, Chief Brett Mikkelsen told CHEK News.
“We got quick word there [were] no occupants on the vessels,” he said. “There was a lot of diesel, a lot of fuel.”
There was no word on what caused the fire. BC’s Environment ministry said it will continue to monitor the incident, and that its role is to ensure the right agencies are responding—in this case, the coast guard and WCMRC
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Saanich road closures:
Sea View between Bedford and Miramontes, today, 9am-3:30pm
Reynolds at Cedar Hill Cross, today, 9am-3pm
Near 4150 Birtles, today, 8am-4:30pm
Saanich single-lane alternating traffic: Reynolds between Cedar Hill Cross and Cumberland, through Feb. 20, 8:30am-3:30pm
Point Ellice Bridge construction to start Feb. 16.
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NEWS
Victoria councillors advocate for better federal regulations on marine traffic waste
Cruise ship at Ogden Point. Photo: Shutterstock
Couns. Matt Dell and Jeremy Caradonna want Victoria to push for a greener cruise and marine shipping industry.
On Thursday, Victoria’s city council will consider a motion, penned by the two councillors, to call on the federal government to create stricter policies around vessel pollutants in the Salish Sea—particularly scrubber effluent discharge.
Scrubber wash water is the byproduct of a built-in ship engine cleaner that removes sulphur oxide from air exhaust. It allows vessels to operate on cheaper sulphur-based fuels while complying with international restrictions on air pollution.
But the pollution doesn’t simply disappear—it gets washed out and released into the ocean.
Dell and Caradonna say it’s time for Canada to follow the “many countries and ports” that have banned scrubber discharge inside their waters.
“In Canada, five out of 17 port authorities have implemented regulations to ban scrubber wash water discharges either at berth or at anchorage or within their harbour, including Vancouver and Prince Rupert,” Dell and Caradonna state in their motion.
The councillors say the “lion’s share” of emissions comes from long-distance marine shipping, including “those that transit past Victoria in the Salish Sea,” with cruise ships only accounting for 0.2% of all commercial ship emissions.
However, cruise ships accounted for nearly 46% of the total scrubber washwater emissions on Canada’s Pacific Coast in 2022. The councillors highlight that washwater dumping is not happening directly in Victoria’s harbour, but our city is inextricably linked to the industry.
“The cruise industry contributes to the vibrant tourism industry in Victoria, with benefits to the City, First Nations, and businesses across the region,” the councillors write.
“It is crucial that the marine shipping and transportation industries continue to green themselves, and for the Federal government to play an active partnership role in reducing the environmental impacts of these industries on coastal communities.”
If the motion is approved, Dell and Caradonna have requested that the mayor write to the federal transit, fisheries, and environment ministers, and Victoria MP Will Grieves, to request that Ottawa:
Mandates the phase-in of low-sulphur fuel by large marine vessels in Canadian territorial waters
Develops regulations to prevent the discharge of scrubber wash water within territorial waters;
Ensures that all regulatory emissions requirements are being followed by large marine vessels
Works collaboratively with the marine shipping and transportation industry and related stakeholders to ensure the industry meets both its own decarbonization and environmental objectives and those of Canada
SPONSORED BY THE CANADIAN CLUB OF VICTORIA
February meeting featuring Dr. Michael Prince C.M., PhD
Join us at our Canadian Club of Victoria Luncheon Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 11:45am to 1:30pm at the Hotel Grand Pacific, where Emeritus Landsdowne Professor of Social Policy, University of Victoria, Dr. Michael Prince C.M., PhD, will discuss "The Rise of Right-Wing Governments".
Deadline to register is Thursday, Feb. 5, at noon. Non-members are welcome to attend. Details here.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🤘 Spiritbox: See the Victoria-born metal band perform at the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony on Sunday. [Video]
🎭 Love, obsession, and betrayal — Pacific Opera Victoria presents Puccini’s Tosca. Feb 18 - 24 at the Royal. Tickets on sale now, starting at $35.*
🐺 Sea wolves seen on the West Island. [Facebook photos]
🧑🏫 Glenlyon Norfolk School empowers students to lead with confidence. Attend an upcoming Open House to see how IB learning and belonging shape extraordinary futures.*
🥓 Beacon Bits global food tasting event on March 26.
*Sponsored Listing
SPONSORED BY CONTINUING STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
Prepare today, so you can lead tomorrow.
Choose from 70+ programs. Gain real-world skills, train with experts, and show up career-ready with Continuing Studies at UVic.
🗞️ In Other News
Saanich PD investigates 3 vehicle fires as suspicious
On Friday, three vehicles were found engulfed in flames in front of a single-family home on Cadillac. Saanich Fire quickly extinguished the flames. They said there were no injuries and no apparent damage to nearby homes or other vehicles. The fire department said that while vehicle fires aren’t uncommon, the incident raised concerns. The Saanich Major Crimes Unit has since taken over the investigation. [CHEK]
Plan for affordable housing stalled as developers abandon childcare space
Plans for a 900-unit development, replacing 175 existing affordable units and 21 supportive housing units, are in jeopardy after BC Housing says it ran out of grant funding for a childcare space. The development was approved by the Victoria council, with 37 childcare spaces promised. BC Housing says it plans to include childcare in Phase 2 if it can secure funding. Last week, the council chose to delay its decision on moving the project forward until this Thursday’s meeting. [Victoria News]
BC Seahawks fans heading to Cali for Super Bowl
Despite the uneasy state of Canada-US relations, a bunch of football-crazy Canucks are expected to be among the contingent of Seattle Seahawks fans travelling to Santa Clara, Calif., for Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks say the NFL club has more than 4K season ticket holders who hail from Canada, mostly from BC. That’s roughly 500 more Canadian season-ticket holders than last season, according to the ‘Hawks PR department. The 60th edition of the Super Bowl—Seattle vs. New England Patriots—is scheduled for 3:30pm Victoria time this Sunday. [Times Colonist]
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SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA
Italy’s Aterballetto Reimagines a Modern Classic
CCN/Aterballetto, Italy’s premier contemporary dance company, makes its Western Canadian debut on Feb. 6 + 7 at the Royal Theatre. The full cast of 16 virtuosic dancers promises a dynamic mixed program, including Rhapsody in Blue, a playful reimagining of George Gershwin's iconic score, marking its 100th anniversary. A must-see!
🗓️ Things To Do
☕ Victoria Hot Chocolate Festival: Warm up with artisan hot chocolate from businesses across Victoria while supporting the BC SPCA Victoria Community Animal Centre. Daily throughout February. [Info]
🖤 Black Pioneers on the Saanich Peninsula: Learn the stories of important Black pioneers in Sidney, the Saanich Peninsula, and Salt Spring Island at the Sidney Museum. Daily throughout February. [Info]
🧜 Disney's The Little Mermaid: Shawnigan Lake School presents Disney's beloved musical about Ariel the mermaid at the McPherson Playhouse. Tomorrow-Fri. [Info]
🍝 Dine Around and Stay in Town: Explore 60+ restaurants and 15 hotels offering special menus and packages throughout Greater Victoria. Now through Feb 8. [Info]
🎤 Lorraine Nygaard presents a Tribute to Nina Simone: Celebrate Black History Month with this tribute to Nina Simone's bold piano work and passionate vocals at Hermann's. Thurs. 7pm. [Info]
🎶 You're Just a Place That I Know: Juno-nominated Adrian Glynn McMorran will tell the story of his grandparents' flight from Second-World-War-era Ukraine, through song and traditional instruments, at the Charlie White Theatre. Thurs. 7:30pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Sunday’s headlines: Weekly roundup; YMCA/YWCA announces downtown move date; Pattison ices US Homeland Security deal. [Feb. 1]
Black History Month events. [Capital Daily]
Company buys out Broadmead Village: Future development possible. [Times Colonist]
Some door-to-door chocolate sales linked to possible scam. [CHEK]
Moooving down the road: See a person ride a cow-powered cart down Cedar Hill Road in the 1930s. [Facebook photo]
That’s it!
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