IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Name: Unidentified Sunken Boat

Type: Pleasure Boat

Dimensions: Small-sized vessel, exact dimensions unknown

Depth: Within recreational diving limits (likely under 130 feet or 40 meters)

Location: South of Toronto Island, Lake Ontario, Canada

Coordinates: Specific coordinates not publicly disclosed; discovered during a 2021 search operation

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Unidentified Sunken Boat is a modern pleasure craft, designed for recreational use. These vessels are typically constructed for activities such as short cruising, fishing, and leisure boating. While lacking the historical significance of older wooden or steel shipwrecks, this boat’s presence on the lakebed provides a contemporary dive site and highlights the range of vessels that have met their fate in the waters of Lake Ontario.

HISTORY

The discovery of the Unidentified Sunken Boat occurred in late summer 2021 during a search operation conducted by the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Recovery Team. The team was working to locate an aircraft in the waters south of Toronto Island using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), provided by Shark Marine Technologies Inc. of St. Catharines, Ontario.

The AUV’s sonar scans revealed an unexpected object resting on the lakebed. Initially uncertain of its nature, divers were dispatched to confirm its identity. Upon reaching the site, they discovered a sunken pleasure boat, a surprising find given the expedition’s focus on aviation artifacts. Though not a historic wreck or a sought-after aircraft, the boat’s discovery added an intriguing layer to the mission, showcasing the unpredictability of underwater exploration.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Unidentified Sunken Boat remains submerged south of Toronto Island. Its condition appears intact, as it is a relatively recent wreck, and no significant structural damage was reported by divers. The boat now rests as a quiet feature of the lakebed, contributing to the expanding catalog of underwater sites in Lake Ontario.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Located within recreational diving limits, the site is accessible to divers with appropriate certifications and equipment. The discovery via sonar ensures precise location data, making the boat an easy target for dive expeditions. Its modern design provides a unique contrast to older, historic wrecks in the area and offers an opportunity for recreational divers to explore a contemporary sunken vessel.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Canadian Harvard Aircraft Recovery Team: Details on their 2021 search operation.

•Shark Marine Technologies Inc.: Providers of the AUV used for the sonar survey.

•Lake Ontario Diving Resources: Guides for divers exploring wrecks in the region.

•Underwater Archaeology References: Insight into the study of recent and historic underwater finds.

CONCLUSION

The Unidentified Sunken Boat represents a modern addition to the rich tapestry of wrecks on Lake Ontario’s floor. While not a historic or high-profile find, its discovery highlights the diversity of objects resting in the lake. This site offers divers a unique experience to explore a contemporary wreck, providing both recreational opportunities and a reminder of the lake’s enduring draw for boaters, aviators, and historians alike.

TAGS

#UnidentifiedBoat

#LakeOntarioWrecks

#RecreationalDiving

#SonarDiscovery

#PleasureBoatWreck

#CanadianHarvardAircraftRecoveryTeam

For those interested, a YouTube video documenting the survey and discovery of the Unidentified Sunken Boat is available, offering a closer look at the operation and the vessel on the lakebed.