GOLD RIVER, BC, July 29, 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
$13,500 fine, in the form of an
administrative monetary penalty, to a vessel owner in
British Columbia. On June 12, 2024, the Canadian Coast Guard issued a
fine to the owner of the Muriel D II, a 40-foot wooden
fishing vessel in Matchlee Bay near Gold
River, British Columbia. The vessel was found to pose a
hazard to the marine environment on the following criteria:
- The vessel was partially sunk in Matchlee Bay. It was moored
without authorization to a Fisheries and Oceans Canada salmon
enhancement net pen, a structure that is not designed to hold the
strain of a sinking vessel.
- The net pen was also scheduled to be moved and used as a
hatchery by the Conuma Creek Salmon Hatchery.
- The vessel posed a risk of completely sinking and polluting the
nearby estuary.
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 March 18,
2024. Due to the hazard posed by the sunken vessel, the
Canadian Coast Guard had the Muriel D II 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
- This is the fourth time that a fine has been issued to a
hazardous vessel owner in British
Columbia and the fifth fine 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 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 Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region