VANCOUVER, BC, May 21, 2024
/CNW/ - Wrecked, abandoned, or hazardous boats can pose
threats to the environment, local communities, and economies.
Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada continues to take action to address
problem vessels and ensure owner accountability.
Recently, the Canadian Coast Guard exercised its authority under
the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act to issue a
$15,000 fine, in the form of an
administrative monetary penalty, to a vessel owner in
British Columbia. The owner was
required to pay within 30 days or to apply for a review hearing
with the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.
On April 3, 2024, the Canadian
Coast Guard issued a fine to the owner of an unnamed 30 foot
sailing vessel located on the Jericho Beach breakwater,
Vancouver, British Columbia. The
vessel was found to pose a hazard to the marine environment and
public safety based on the following criteria:
- The vessel was in a location accessible to the general public,
and due to its instability and damaged state, could have caused
injury to persons entering.
- The vessel caused structural damage to the administrative
building of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the main support
beams for the dock beside the building.
- The continued damage to the fiberglass hull of the vessel would
produce pollution to the marine environment through broken parts
drifting away.
The issuance of this fine comes after the vessel owner failed to
comply with the Canadian Coast Guard's directions to remove the
vessel and take all reasonable measures to prevent pollution from
entering the marine environment by January
24, 2024.
Owners are responsible for the costs of addressing their problem
vessel. This includes cleanup or repairs, and any remediation
action taken by the Canadian Coast Guard. The Canadian Coast Guard
works with vessel owners to address their problem vessels. The
issuance of a penalty is a last resort when all other avenues have
been exhausted. Under the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous
Vessels Act, the Canadian Coast Guard is required to publicly
report the penalties issued to vessel owners on its website.
The Canadian Coast Guard asks for the public's assistance in
reporting wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels.
Quick Facts
- This is the third time that a fine has been issued to a
hazardous vessel owner in British
Columbia and the fourth Administrative Monetary Penalty to
be issued in Canada.
- Vessel owners are responsible for maintaining and keeping their
vessels in good working order, and properly disposing of the vessel
when it reaches the end of its life.
- The Canadian Coast Guard maintains a publicly available
national inventory of problem vessels across Canada to better track these vessels and help
prioritize which ones should be dealt with first. To date, over
2,000 wrecked, abandoned, or hazardous boats have been
reported.
- Since 2016, under the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of
Canada has funded over 580
projects to remove and dispose of wrecked, abandoned, or hazardous
vessels across Canada and has made
it illegal to abandon a vessel in Canada's waters.
Related products
- Canadian Coast Guard's Compliance and Enforcement Program
- Canadian Coast Guard Issues First Fine for a Hazardous
Vessel
Associated links
- Vessel Owner Responsibilities
- Wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels
- Oceans Protection Plan
Stay Connected
- Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on X,
Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region