Iconic Expo 86 'McBarge' partially capsized in Fraser River

CBC News

· Posted: Mar 26, 2025 7:30 PM EDT | Last Updated: 10 minutes ago

The iconic "McBarge" vessel, which housed a McDonald's edifice during Expo 86 successful Vancouver, was connected its broadside and partially capsized successful the Fraser River connected Wednesday.

The McBarge is a 57-metre-long barge that became iconic aft being moored successful False Creek during the satellite exposition successful 1986 adjacent different Expo icons similar B.C. Place and Science World.

But since its stint arsenic a McDonald's restaurant, the barge — officially known arsenic the Friendship 500 — has ne'er seen visitors. It has been derelict for decades, and anchored successful some Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River.

On Wednesday, two CBC News reporters took photographs of the iconic vas connected its broadside successful the Fraser River. CBC News has reached retired to the seashore defender and the proprietor of the McBarge for much information.

A spokesperson for the City of Maple Ridge said they are alert of reports regarding a "sinking vessel" successful the Fraser River.

"While the vas is located successful national waters and not nether City jurisdiction, we recognize the public's concerns and are actively engaged successful responding," the spokesperson wrote.