MONTREAL, July 25,
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
$12,000 fine, in the form of an
administrative monetary penalty, to a vessel owner in
Quebec. On July 3, 2024, the Canadian Coast Guard issued a
fine to the owner of an unnamed 6.4-meter pleasure craft in the
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu area. The
vessel was found to pose a hazard to the marine environment and to
the public based on the following criteria:
- Pollution hazard and risks posed by debris and materials not
intended to be submerged;
- Risk of injury to boaters in the area who have easy access to
the wreck;
- Risk of the wreck breaking off and drifting in a fast-flowing,
busy river; and,
- Danger of shoreline erosion caused by the wreck.
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 April 4,
2024. Due to the hazards posed by the vessel, the Canadian
Coast Guard had it removed from the marine environment.
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. The owner was required to pay within 30 days or to
apply for a review hearing with the Transportation Appeal Tribunal
of Canada. 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
- 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 vessels 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 Canadian waters.
Related products
- Canadian Coast Guard's Compliance and Enforcement Program
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 Canadian Coast Guard