Kevin Allerston
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 01/05) - A boat that has been the subject of controversy is back above water, for now.

The Salvelinus is moored on the causeway near Air Tindi Ltd., and has been slowly sinking for years, causing concern about the potential hazard of leaked fuel.

"It's his ego versus sulphuric acid and diesel fuel going in the water, possibly. So let's prevent this environmental problem," said Matthew Grogono, who works across the street from where the boat rests.

The Salvelinus was used in the Beaufort Sea as a federal research vessel in the 1970s and sat idle in Tuktoyaktuk for a decade.

Bill Carr, who bought the boat from the government 10 years ago, doesn't know what the big deal is. The only problem for him is people bugging him and calling the Coast Guard about the vessel .

"I think they just really had nothing to do," Carr said after the Coast Guard called him to do something about the vessel after it sank.

"I've told them, 'there's no fuel, there's no oil spill,' but they just overreact!" Carr said.

The 36 foot boat has a pump to remove water that leaks in. However, the pump has problems functioning in winter, and the Salvelinus sinks.

Yellowknife city hall doesn't think the boat is a problem.

"I understand there is no contamination leaking out of the boat.

"So let people take care of their own affairs," said Dave Nicklen, public safety director.

A Transport Canada employee who requested that his name not be used wasn't concerned about the boat either. The Salvelinus represents "almost no hazard at all," since it has no fuel, oil, or other harmful substances aboard it," he said.

"I don't think people need to be too concerned; it's a wooden boat with very solid construction," he said.

Carr plans to repair the boat and eventually sail the Northwest Passage.

Until then, he would prefer people just leave him and his boat alone.