Latest news with #JohnRoe
Global News
11 hours ago
- General
- Global News
They're back: Windstorm-wrecked vessels in Vancouver renew derelict boat concerns
It's a perennial story on the British Columbia coast, a zombie problem that's as undead as its subject matter: derelict boats. The issue is back in the spotlight after a recent windstorm washed at least four watercraft ashore along Vancouver's Sunset Beach. The collection of wrecks includes two sailboats, a jet ski and a derelict dinghy. 2:10 McBarge sinking in Fraser River highlights problem of derelict boats It comes amid growing scrutiny of the issue, following two high-profile derelict boat incidents in the Fraser River: the sinking of the so-called 'McBarge' and the fiery destruction of a former BC Ferries vessel. Story continues below advertisement John Roe, co-founder of the Dead Boat Disposal Society said it's a frustrating problem that's seen little improvement in years. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We need legislation changed both provincially and federally,' he said. 'We also need enforcement of ownership of boats.' Roe said he believes federal officials have been marked for removal, but added it's a slow process with no clear timeline. 'If they are tagged, they will get taken off — it's just a question of when.' Advocates for derelict boat removal say the process is often complicated by overlapping municipal, provincial and federal jurisdictions, combined with a lack of funding and political willpower. 1:35 Derelict vessels to be removed from Nicomekl River The Canadian Coast Guard is the lead agency when vessels pose an environmental or navigation hazard, whereas the removal of low-risk vessels falls to Transport Canada. Story continues below advertisement 'Owners are responsible for the costs of addressing their problem vessel. This includes cleanup or repairs, and any remediation action taken by the Canadian Coast Guard,' the Coast Guard said in a statement. While that's supposed to be the case, Roe said it's not always easy to determine who they belong to or to follow up with them. He believes the problem could be addressed more quickly if boat registrations were handled under existing provincial agencies. 'I think if we switched them over to ICBC and made that move, that you know … you're required to insure your car and you're required to license your vehicle too. Why should it be any different for your boat, regardless of its size,' he said. Roe added he'd like to see the issue handled more proactively, with federal or provincial officials giving owners of aging boats the opportunity to turn them in. 'I'd like to see a bring out your dead boat day … you register for your boat to get disposed of and we crunch 'em up,' he said.
Global News
06-05-2025
- General
- Global News
Cleaning up torched Queen of Sidney could take years, millions of dollars, experts say
Cleaning up the wreckage of a derelict former B.C. ferry that went up in flames this weekend could take years and millions of dollars, experts say. The former Queen of Sidney was retired from BC Ferries' fleet in 2000, and has been more on the Fraser River in Mission since it was sold in 2002 to Gerald Tapp. On Saturday morning, it was consumed by flames, sending a massive column of toxic smoke into the air and forcing hundreds of people to shelter in place. 1:59 Derelict Queen of Sidney ferry burns in overnight fire The wreck now represents a potentially significant environmental hazard. Story continues below advertisement But cleaning it up could prove both time-consuming and difficult, according to the B.C.-based Dead Boad Disposal Society. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Group co-founder John Roe said if the vessel is not sinking or leaking the Coast Guard will hand it off to Transport Canada. 'They will do an assessment and then they will look for money from the federal government to fix this,' he said. 'You are looking at probably $15 million to $20 million.' 1:38 Residents asked to stay indoors after fire guts derelict ferry in B.C.'s Fraser River The District of Mission has been trying to deal with the ferry's owners for years, but with no luck. Roe said Transport Canada will try and recover the cleanup costs from the vessel's owner through the courts, but that taxpayers will likely end up footing the bill. Story continues below advertisement In a statement, the federal government said a 2023 inspection of the vessel found no significant pollutants on board. Inspectors are now conducting an on-water inspection from a pollution and public safety standpoint. Further complicating the process is that British Columbia lacks the facilities to properly deal with vessels like the Queen of Sidney — meaning it is often easier for owners to abandon them than to properly dispose of them. 'This is a symptom of a bigger problem. We don't have any certified deconstruction facilities on the coast,' said Joe Spears, principal of Horseshoe Bay Marine Group. 'We need to build a facility where you can deal with all the toxic substances.' Spears said Ottawa's last survey of derelict vessels in Canada found some 1,700 nationwide, with about 70 per cent in British Columbia alone. 'It's the owner's responsibility, this 'polluter pays,' but if the owner isn't able to deal with this, then it's up to the government of Canada,' he said. Mission's mayor plans to introduce an emergency motion at council on Monday in an effort to pressure senior levels of government to take action.
