Former Sudbury rescue boat finds new home on Wahnapitae First Nation

A decommissioned Greater Sudbury fire rescue boat, known as Boat 22, has been donated to Wahnapitae First Nation. The vessel was officially delivered to the First Nation on Dec. 18, 2025. (Supplied/City of Greater Sudbury)

The City of Greater Sudbury has donated a decommissioned fire rescue boat to Wahnapitae First Nation, providing a community asset that was nearly sold at auction last year following resident concerns.

The vessel, known as Boat 22, was officially delivered to the First Nation on Thursday. The 2005 Connor Industries Stanley Hull served as a rescue boat on Lake Wanapitei before being decommissioned in 2020 when the city determined it was no longer suitable for emergency operations.

“The City has a long track record of repurposing decommissioned equipment, when possible, for training and other service uses,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre, in a news release Friday.

“We’re pleased to donate this vessel to Wahnapitae First Nation, where it will be put to use supporting their outreach and safety work on the water.”

The city stated the boat had no further municipal use. Wahnapitae First Nation plans to use it to access lakes within its traditional territory and to support community safety initiatives.

Previous community concern

The donation follows an incident in January 2024, when the boat briefly appeared on a city auction block. Residents of the Skead area, where the boat was once stored, quickly alerted their councillor after discovering the listing.

The community had recently campaigned to keep its local fire hall open, citing the need for water rescue resources on the large, often dangerous lake.

“Anger for sure, people were shocked that we hadn’t been consulted. It went viral very quickly,” said Nicole Everest, a Skead resident involved in that effort at the time.

Ward 7 Councillor Natalie Labbée, who represents Skead, said she and the mayor were unaware of the auction. The listing was removed within 30 minutes of her being notified by constituents.

“For them to realize it was on the auction block without having some kind of consultation about an alternative use for the boat was very alarming to them, as it was for me,” Labbée told CTV News in January last year.

She later added, “I think we can do better with communication.”

After halting the sale, the city said it was “exploring other options for this boat, outside of Fire Services.”

Vessel to serve new purpose

The donation represents the conclusion of that exploration. The First Nation said the boat will enhance safety and support broader community work.

“This donation will make a significant difference for our community,” said Chief Larry Roque.

“We appreciate the City’s support and look forward to using this vessel to advance our community outreach and safety initiatives.”

The transfer provides a definitive outcome for the decommissioned vessel, assigning it a new role after its unexpected path from the auction block to a community partnership.

With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca anchor Ian Campbell