Taking action on abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels

Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan

The Government of Canada recognizes the risks abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels in Canadian waters pose to safe navigation, the marine environment, public health and local economies.

Most owners are responsible and dispose of their vessels properly.  However, the small percentage that are not responsible have significant impacts on our coastal communities, with the burden for costly clean-up often falling on Canadian taxpayers.

Without meaningful action, this issue is expected to grow as the Canadian vessel fleet gets older. This is why the Government of Canada supported a Private Members Motion (no.40) on abandoned vessels proposed by Member of Parliament Bernadette Jordan that was unanimously adopted by the House of Commons on      October 26, 2016.

Under Canada’s Ocean Protection Plan, a comprehensive plan has been developed that focuses on prevention and removal of these problem vessels. This new plan, which covers all the major elements of the Motion, will:

• Prohibit owners from abandoning their vessels;
• Make vessel owners responsible and liable for the cost of any vessel clean-up as a result of abandonment, maritime casualty, or irresponsible vessel management, including the requirement for owners of large commercial vessels to maintain wreck removal insurance;
• Empower the Government of Canada to take proactive action on vessels causing hazards before they become more costly to address;
• Improve current systems to more accurately identify vessel owners and ensure they can be held responsible;
• Create an inventory of problem vessels to better understand the scope and scale of the issue and the risks associated with it to inform decisions;
• Work with provincial, territorial and local governments and Indigenous groups to support the clean-up of smaller high-priority vessels posing risks to coastal communities, and develop plans to address large commercial problem vessels according to the risks they pose;
• Create a vessel-owner financed program to pay for the clean-up of vessels over the long-term;
• Promote education and outreach activities to inform owners of their responsibilities for proper vessel disposal; and,
• Support research aimed at improving recycling options for vessels, including design for the environment and new technologies.

Collectively, these new measures aim to reduce the number of abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels that pose hazards in Canadian waters, and support the preservation and restoration of marine ecosystems.

This is of utmost importance to the Government of Canada. On November 7, 2016, the Government of Canada announced its Oceans Protection Plan to improve marine safety and responsible shipping, protect Canada’s marine environment and advance Indigenous reconciliation.

The Oceans Protection Plan will help keep Canadians waters and coasts safe and clean, for today’s use and for future generations.

Associated Links:

Private Members Motion (No.40) on Abandoned Vessels

www.tc.gc.ca/abandonedboats

November, 2016