Gold River, British Columbia - 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.
