The stubborn presence of an abandoned and half-sunken houseboat is drawing the ire of some members of a nearby sailing club who say the derelict dwelling is both an eyesore and an environmental hazard.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 just kind of embarrassing,SA国际影视传媒� said Karen McLeod. SA国际影视传媒淎s a citizen here, it just appalls me that this was going to be allowed to collapse into the lake.SA国际影视传媒�

After noticing the beleaguered houseboat SA国际影视传媒� located just south of the Giant Mine boat launch on Back Bay SA国际影视传媒� was partially submerged last Spring, a concerned McLeod contacted the owner of the one-time home.

McLeod, a member of the Great Slave Sailing Club SA国际影视传媒� an outfit headquartered just metres from the houseboat SA国际影视传媒� said the owner agreed to SA国际影视传媒渄o the right thing,SA国际影视传媒� by retrieving the sinking structure, but that he never did.

SA国际影视传媒淚t sat there all summer getting worse and worse, then it got locked in the ice over winter,SA国际影视传媒� she said, adding she visited the site recently to find the houseboat SA国际影视传媒渟inking faster and further.SA国际影视传媒�

With furniture and other possessions of past residents still onboard, McLeod is concerned the deteriorating houseboat, which juts out just off shore in a small cove, will soon sink, bringing harmful contaminants with it.

McLeod, who said sheSA国际影视传媒檇 complain about the dilapidated dwelling even if she wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 a member of sailing collective, wants to see the houseboat hauled out SA国际影视传媒� before itSA国际影视传媒檚 too late.

She isnSA国际影视传媒檛 alone. Ian McCrea, who heads the Great Slave sailing outfit as commodore, said he shares McLeodSA国际影视传媒檚 environmental concerns, adding the houseboat poses safety risks, too.

With a sailing school for children operating in close proximity during the summer, McCrae said the leaning structure could present worrisome safety woes. He said its presence could also stand as an appealing attraction to young adults in search of adventure.

But McCrae also empathized with the houseboatSA国际影视传媒檚 owner, saying thereSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渢wo sides to the street.SA国际影视传媒�

Giving his side of the saga to Yellowknifer, the owner Archie Johnson said he intended to get the houseboat out of the water last July, but that his arranged helper wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 available.

Johnson said he decided to leave it for the winter after a freeze came sooner than expected.

With no fuel onboard the vessel, Johnson said the houseboat doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 pose environmental risks, adding he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 believe itSA国际影视传媒檚 disturbing anyone.

But he acknowledged its presence as being irksome for some.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a bit of an eyesore and I can understand that. Some people would like to see it gone right now but itSA国际影视传媒檚 not that easily done,SA国际影视传媒� said Johnson, adding heSA国际影视传媒檚 hoping to get the houseboat on land in early July with assistance heSA国际影视传媒檚 already arranged.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 really not interested in getting into any kind of a battle with anyone. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e going to make every effort to make it successful. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be an arduous task and I just hope things work out."

Following conversations with both McLeod and Johnson, senior response officer at the Canadian Coast Guard in Hay River Mike Leonard told Yellowknifer the houseboat was inspected.

Leonard confirmed the absence of "pollutants or hydrocarbons" onboard the houseboat, and that Johnson relayed his plans to retrieve it this summer.

While McLeodSA国际影视传媒檚 frustration was directed at one houseboat in particular, she said its deteriorating state SA国际影视传媒� and the lack of action to remedy it SA国际影视传媒� is a symptom of a larger pollution problem in and around the city.

SA国际影视传媒淵ellowknife is still young and weSA国际影视传媒檙e still trying to deal with these things, and we have this sort of frontier approach to things but honestly we need to get beyond that now and clean up some things,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

To reign in rogue houseboats, Ian McCrae suggested revisiting a previous plan to establish a harbour commission overseen by multiple levels of government.

SA国际影视传媒淲here we can provide a good environment with some level of services to houseboaters and also provide certain standards so we donSA国际影视传媒檛 end up with those derelict boats,SA国际影视传媒� said McCrae.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think that would be a good thing and it would be to foster healthy and safe use of the water including a welcoming environment for houseboaters,SA国际影视传媒� he added.

Echoing McLeodSA国际影视传媒檚 own appreciation of YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 "eclectic" houseboat scene, McCrae underscored his support for houseboaters, who he said act responsibly by and large.

SA国际影视传媒淗ouseboats in general add character. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e part of our community,SA国际影视传媒� he said.