By Dominic Abassi

Hydro reviewing situation after fishing line draped over Nanaimo power lines

Aug 10, 2016 | 4:46 PM

NANAIMO — A high-altitude kite on the loose is getting the blame for fishing line wrapped around Nanaimo hydro wires.
 
Earlier this week, Nanaimo RCMP put out a call for tips from the public after someone had wrapped fishing line around power lines in the Waddington and Dufferin area.
 
Police originally thought a drone, or remotely piloted aircraft system, was used and suspected it might have been a deliberate act of vandalism.

However, officers got a tip from the public and followed-up at a man’s home.

The man admitted he was flying a high-altitude kite and it accidentally got away from him.
 
BC Hydro’s Ted Olynyk says they are reviewing the situation and it is possible they will go after the person responsible for costs associated with pulling the fishing line off their wires.

“This poses immense problems for us. Not only does it take valuable crew time away from our customers, having to deal with this nonsense, it could pose a fire hazard,” said Olynyk.

Nanaimo RCMP say from their perspective the case is closed.

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The man was given a warning and no charges are being considered.

But Olynyk says they are looking to figure out the circumstances behind this incident to determine if further action is warranted.

“Over the last six months we’ve had about three or four of these incidents that have taken place. It’s getting to be quite frustrating for our crews to go out there and pull up lines and lines of fishing line that have been draped over the power lines and caught in the equipment. It’s just something our crews should not have to be attending.”

Olynyk says whether it’s a kite or a drone, people need to be careful with power lines.