THUNDER BAY — City of Thunder Bay staff are looking into how the wrong kind of fuel got into the tank that dispenses diesel to boat operators at the marina at Prince Arthur's Landing.
It's not clear yet how long the tank has been pumping out coloured fuel instead of clear fuel as required by provincial regulation.
Coloured fuel, which contains a red dye, is exempt from Ontario fuel tax and is not permitted for use in recreational watercraft.
Cory Halvorsen, Manager of Parks and Open Spaces for the city, said the city closed the marina pump voluntarily on June 14 after a Ministry of Finance inspector visited the site.
The fuel was changed, Halvorsen said, and the pump was re-opened on Monday.
Halvorsen told Tbnewswatch that it is "undetermined at this time" when coloured diesel was first put in the tank.
He said the ministry has not fined the city for the infraction.
The fuel station opened for the new season in the middle of May.
Examples of Permitted Coloured Fuel Use
- as fuel for heating, lighting or cooking
- generating electricity
- operating unlicensed construction, forestry, mining, farm and other business equipment
- testing or operating commercial marine vessels
- powering auxiliary equipment of a motor vehicle if the equipment has a separate fuel tank
- use by First Nations individuals and bands registered under the Indian Act (Canada) as long as the fuel is acquired on a reserve, and
- operating railway equipment, provided that the operator is registered with the Ministry of Finance (ministry) and pays fuel tax on all fuel used in its railway operations.
(Source: Ontario Ministry of Finance)
