The once-popular McBarge has tipped over in the Fraser River. CTV News
A once-popular floating McDonald’s restaurant from Expo 86 is now sinking into the Fraser River. The vessel, known as the McBarge, has remained abandoned for decades after its initial purpose as a unique dining experience in Vancouver’s False Creek.
Originally called the Friendship 500, the McBarge was meant to be a futuristic McDonald’s during Expo 86. After the event, plans to keep it operating as a restaurant fell through, leaving the vessel without a purpose. Since then, it has remained mostly untouched, occasionally sparking interest from investors and developers.
In 2017, owner Howard Meakin had ambitious plans to turn the McBarge into a facility showcasing Canada’s deepwater technology. However, those ideas never materialized, and the vessel continued to sit idle. Now, its current ownership is unclear, and efforts to confirm who is responsible for it have not yet been successful.
Authorities are aware of the situation. The Ministry of Environment stated that the Canadian Coast Guard had previously assessed the vessel and found no pollutants on board. Transport Canada has taken over as the primary authority monitoring the McBarge’s condition. Officials say they are keeping an eye on the sinking vessel but have not yet announced any recovery plans.
The once-iconic floating restaurant, which was meant to be a symbol of innovation, now faces an uncertain fate.
