Wrecked, Abandoned and Hazardous Vessels 

August 27, 2026

Transport Canada, under the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act has introduced some boat ownership responsibilities as follows: 

Boat owners are now responsible for the “end of life” management of their vessel(s). Boat owners are prohibited  

            • From leaving their vessel adrift for more than 48 hours. 

            • From intentionally causing their vessel to become a wreck. 

            • From intentionally sinking, stranding or grounding their vessel. 

            • From leaving their vessel in poor condition or in a dilapidated state in the same area within a radius of 3 nautical miles for more that 60 days without proper authorization. 

Boat owners can be held responsible and liable for all pollution and clean up related costs incurred resulting from their boating activities. 

Boat Disposal: 

If your boat is in a poor condition, ensure that you get rid of it in a proper and responsible manner before it impacts the environment or the safety of others. 

Boat owners should ensure that the ownership documentation, including the Pleasure Craft License or registration, is transferred properly. They can contact their local marina or regional marine operator’s association to find out more on the best places to recycle or dispose of their vessels. 

Maritime Casualty (Accident) and Hazardous Wrecks. 

If you find an abandoned boat or wreck, what should you do? It should be reported to the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). The owner of a vessel is liable for the costs of locating, marking and removing a hazardous wreck resulting from a maritime accident. The owner or operator of any vessel, including pleasure craft, involved in a marine accident resulting in a wreck is required to report it without delay to the CCG and they must take all reasonable steps to mark it or have it marked without delay. 

These regulations have been put in place to help ensure that all boaters are safe from marine hazards caused as a result of wrecked or abandoned vessels and they also help to prevent negative environmental impacts. 

By John Gullick, currently CanBoat’s Manager of Government and Special Programs and has been an active recreational marine specialist and writer for over 50 years. 

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