Sunken boat closes Glasson Branch

THE risk of contamination from a sunken boat has closed the Glasson Branch of the Lancaster Canal.

A fishing boat has sunk in Glasson Dock with fire fighters on hand to minimise the risk of contamination, Keith Gudgin reports.

Basin closed

Until the vessel can be raised and made safe, the locks into the basin will be closed, with Canal & River Trust instructing boaters wanting access to remain on the canal until the possibility of contamination is cleared.

As can be seen from the photograph  a boom has been put around the boat to limit contamination into the dock.

Firefighters

Firefighters were called to the scene early this morning after the report of a sunken fishing boat, with a fire engine arriving from Lancaster and a rescue boat from Preston, together with its aerial support unit.

Boaters in the marina are being asked to avoid all areas and  to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.