Derelict Vessel Solution Gaining Momentum – Vancouver Island

Photo credits: Alan Wilson April 11 2016

Derelict and abandoned vessels in our coastal waters pose environmental contamination and safety risks. They are also visual eyesores. Untended vessels end up adrift, washed ashore and possibly even sunk, releasing fuel and other toxins into the marine environment. This puts marine life and habitat at risk, not to mention the danger these vessels pose to mariners and beachgoers and the damage they can cause to shoreline facilities.

On Vancouver Island, Saanich Council has passed a resolution proposing the creation of two inter-governmental programs to address derelict vessels that would be funded by fees on boat purchases, registration, insurance and moorage:

1. Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Program

2. End of Life Vessel Disposal Program
A proactive initiative like this is encouraging because it confronts the threat to safety and the environment that derelict boats pose, however, this important step is not yet a done deal. To gain BC-wide support, it needs to get passed at the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities Convention on April 8 so make your voice heard!

Photo credits: Alan Wilson If you live on Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait Alliance urges you to contact your Mayor and Council to support this resolution. If passed at the AVICC, the measure will go to the Union of BC Municipalities, followed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, urging the federal and provincial governments to work together with communities to solve this problem once and for all.

Visit http://georgiastrait.org for complete details and regular updates on this issue.