The Canadian Coast Guard has issued a $15,000 to the owners of a wrecked yacht.
The fine was issued under the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act.
The unnamed 30ft sailing vessel was on the Jericho Beach breakwater, Vancouver, British Columbia.
The vessel was found to pose a hazard to the marine environment and public safety as it was in a location accessible to the general public, and due to its instability and damaged state, could have caused injury to persons.
In addition, the yacht 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 coast guard said continued damage to the fiberglass hull of the vessel would produce pollution to the marine environment through broken parts drifting away.
The issuance of the 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.
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.
Owners are responsible for the costs of addressing their problem vessel, including clean-up or repairs, and any remediation action taken by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Issuing a fine is a last resort.
The coast guard points out that 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.
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.
