A longliner, which was taking on water and listing dramatically on the South Side of St. John’s harbour earlier today, has been stabilized.

Boons have been placed around the Executioner to contain any possible fuel from the vessel.

The hold began filling with water this morning and one observer noted that the vessel would have sunk had it not listed toward the dock.

Crews working frantically to save listing vessel on Southside Road side of St. John’s harbour. ⁦@VOCMNEWS⁩ pic.twitter.com/uoAsXWQDNL

— Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) December 9, 2021

Once the water was pumped out, the leak in the boat was identified and has since been fixed.

Bruce English, Senior Response Officer with the Environmental Response Section of the Canadian Coast Guard says there’s no concern for the vessel tonight with the high winds approaching.

He says the vessel is just like any other in the harbour right now. As well, he notes that the threat of pollution has passed.

Earlier Story:

Coast Guard officials say a ship that nearly sank in St. John’s harbour this morning appears to be stabilized for now.

A source tells VOCM News the longliner Executioner would likely have sunk had the vessel not listed toward the dock on the south side of the harbour.

The Coast Guard’s environmental response team is on scene along with workers who earlier were frantically trying to pump out the hold which had filled with water due to an apparent leak.

The Coast Guard has since placed booms around the ship to contain any spillage.

The vessel, which is only 3-4 years old continues to bob and weave against the dock in rough water. The situation is all the more urgent with hurricane-force winds in the forecast for tonight.