‘Stay strong’: Theodore Too partially sinks at Ontario dock

Work is underway to rescue a Canadian and Haligonian icon.

The owner of Theodore Too, Blair McKeil, the iconic tugboat, says the vessel took on water and partially sunk at a dock in Port Weller, Ont. in Lake Ontario.

He said Theodore is now “resting on bottom.”

A news release from McKeil reads the life-size version of the TV character began taking on water as of Wednesday morning. It notes the cause of the sinking is unclear, but it holds out hope that Theodore will sail again.

“A skilled and dedicated team of men and women are actively working on a comprehensive plan to safely right the tugboat and refloat him with utmost care,” it says, adding that steps are being taken to mitigate any environmental impact.

Theodore Too spent more than 20 years docked in Nova Scotia before being bought and moved to Ontario in 2021. McKeil purchased the tug in 2021 from the Halifax-based tourism company Ambassatours Gray Line, which put the boat on the market when COVID-19 brought tourism revenues to a halt.

Since arriving in Ontario, Theodore Too has made over 20 stops along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

The vessel was built in Dayspring, N.S. in 2000 as a replica of Theodore Tugboat from the Canadian children’s TV show that ran between 1993 and 2001.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston took note of the nautical mishap, writing on the social media platform X that he was sad “to see our old friend in such a damaged state.”

“Stay strong Theodore,” the premier said.

With files from The Canadian Press.