Federal Government launches 2020 edition of the abandoned boat program

Abandoned and derelict boats is a major issue for Coastal BC, a federal
program is now in its fifth year towards a clean up
(Photo from Boating BC Association website)

The need to continue the work of removing abandoned or wrecked vessels was the topic of note for two Federal Cabinet ministers on Tuesday, as Transportation Minister Marc Garneau and Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard Minister Bernadette Jordan outlined the plans for the fifth year of a federal program to address the issue.

Minister Garneau launched the 2020 program yesterday, putting up to $1.6 million available for this year to help assess, remove or dispose of abandoned and wrecked small boats that pose a hazard in Canadian waters.

The statement from Tuesday called attention to the  economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic this year, noting how funding recipients will be reimbursed 100% for eligible expenditures for boat removals, rather than the 75% in previous years.

“Abandoned and wrecked vessels pose serious threats to our oceans and shorelines. Removing them safely from Canadian waters has been a major priority of mine not only as a Member of Parliament, but as a coastal Canadian. Under the Oceans Protection Plan, we’ve created the Abandoned Boats Program to support Canadians who want to remove old vessels from their communities. We all share in the vision of a clean, healthy ocean, and through the Oceans Protection Plan, we're partnering with innovative Canadians from coast to coast to coast who are making this vision a reality." -- Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Bernadette Jordan

The program is part of the Federal Government's larger Oceans Protection Program.

Some background on the Federal Government's 
abandoned or wrecked boat removal program
(click to enlarge)

Eligible recipients include provinces, territories, municipalities and local governments; Indigenous groups, communities, and organizations; private ports or marinas; Canadian Port Authorities; and for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

All projects must be completed by March 31, 2022.

Learn more about the Abandoned Boats Program here

The topic of Marine Debris in British Columbia waters was the subject of a report released earlier this year, which offered up a range of measures and potential solutions for the issue.

In recent years, the federal program has been the focus for the Port Edward Harbour Authority which has effected the removal of a number of abandoned and wrecked vessels.

The Boating BC Association has some further notes on the topic for your review.

More background on initiatives from the Federal government can be reviewed from our archive page.