People are really torn up over sinking of iconic tugboat in Ontario

The real-life version of Theodore Tugboat, the anthropomorphized vessel that helped raise Canadian children for years through his eponymous TV show, has tragically sunk this week, dragging down hearts across the country with him.

Though he wasn’t built until shortly before the end of the series’ nearly decade-long run, Theodore Too has been a Canuck icon, regularly travelling from his home in Halifax to cities like Toronto to spread love and knowledge about the seafaring way of life.

As stated on his website, the boat is “a former television star and champion for the marine industry” whose job is “to connect people to water so that they will learn to love it as much as I do.”

But, it seems that the thing he loves most was the near-death of the character this week (as is often the case for us all) while he was docked far away from home in St. Catharines, Ontario.

A press release from those who tend to the 65-foot watercraft stated that he had “taken on water and is partially submerged, resting gently on the bottom of shallow water beside a dock at the Ontario Shipyard in Port Weller” as of Thursday.

The unfortunate update continued on to say that the cause of the incident is not yet known, but that crews are already working toward getting the beloved boat back in action.

“We are committed to executing a safe and successful refloat of our beloved Theodore TOO. People across the country hold this little tugboat dear, and we will do everything possible to keep everyone informed of our progress. Rest assured, measures have been taken to mitigate any potential environmental impact,” Theodore’s owner stated.

In the wake of the misadventure, people from coast to coast have been expressing their support for the ship, as well as their shock over what happened to him.

Many are jokingly calling for “justice for Theodor Tugboat” and suggesting that Ontarians “have lost their Theodore privileges” after the incident.

One person surmised that half-sunken Theodore seems to be expressing the general sentiment of the entire nation right now, writing on X, “I think it is weird that the mood of the entire country of Cantada can be summed up by one sad photo of Theodore Tugboat.”

Since the Wednesday calamity, Theodore himself has also released a statement via his Facebook page to assuage any concern, saying that he’d had but “a mishap.”

“I am resting safely on my belly in the mud and my family in Ontario, has assembled a team of experts to carefully right and refloat me. They are working super hard to have me ship shape in time for the holidays. I will keep you posted on how things go!” the post, which has racked up nearly 2,000 reactions and hundreds of comments and shares, reads.

It ends with a heartfelt message to all his adoring fans: “At this time of year, when so many of my friends across the country are struggling, I want you to know how much I love you all and I wish you a heartfelt happy, healthy and toot-ally magical holiday.”