Attempts to find McBarge owner 'unsuccessful' as officials reveal next steps for sinking vessel
As the famous McBarge continues to sink into the waters of the Fraser River, many questions remain about what comes next for the iconic attraction that once served as a floating McDonald’s during Expo ’86.
Last week, Daily Hive Urbanized reported that the McBarge was capsizing in Maple Ridge after a passerby documented the unfortunate state of the vessel on social media.
BREAKING NEWS
THE MCBARGE HAS CAPSIZED. I REPEAT, THE MCBARGE HAS CAPSIZED
cc: @j_mcelroy pic.twitter.com/FEiglgDUJz
ā Joey Pitt ššØ (@_JoeyPitt) March 26, 2025
At the time, the B.C. Ministry of Environment told Daily Hive Urbanized it was “aware of the vessel’s status” and noted that Transport Canada also had received an update about the sinking of the Seaborne II, which is the barge’s official name.
The Canadian Coast Guard previously determined that there were no pollutants on board the barge, and it was determined that the vessel didn’t pose a significant navigational hazard because it was grounded and secured to pilings in the area.
However, no further update was provided on the next steps for the barge or its extraction from the river.
In an updated statement to Daily Hive Urbanized, Transport Canada said it has since attempted to contact the owner of the McBarge but has been “unsuccessful” in doing so.
“As for what a recovery may involve, each vessel is assessed on a case-by-case basis based on condition, environmental risk, and compliance,” said the agency.
According to the Federal Vessel Registration Query System, Seaborne II is registered under Sturgeonās Developments (GP) Ltd., based in Vancouver.
In 2021, an online documentary filmmaker visited the McBarge and connected with the vessel’s owner at the time, a developer named Howard Meakin.
The 157-foot-long barge lived in the Burrard Inlet for many years after Expo ’86 and was later moved to Maple Ridge in 2015.
For years, there have been several unsuccessful plans for the renewal of the McBarge.
In 2017, a crowdfunding campaign was launched for the vessel to be turned into a deep ocean discovery center.
Rumours also swirled that it could back its return as a restaurant or become part of a new development site that would see the top deck of the barge transformed into a space paying homage to Expo ’86.
With files from Amir Ali