Don’t abandon your boat. Keep our waters safe

Owning a boat is a big responsibility. You need to use it safely, keep it in good shape, and dispose of it properly when it’s no longer usable.

What is a hazardous, abandoned, dilapidated or wrecked boat?

• Hazardous: A boat is hazardous if it poses a serious risk to public safety, infrastructure, the environment, or the economy.
• Abandoned: A boat is abandoned if the owner can’t be found (after trying to locate them) or if it’s been left alone for two or more years.
• Dilapidated: A boat is dilapidated if it is:
  1. Badly damaged, falling apart, or unable to be safely used; and
  2. Located in the same area for 60 days without consent.
• Wrecked: A boat is wrecked if it is partly or fully underwater, drifting, stranded or stuck on shore, including those that resulted from an accident

The Wrecked, Abandoned, or Hazardous Vessels Act

This law, which came into force through Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan in 2019, helps protect the public, the environment, the coastlines and shorelines from hazardous or abandoned boats, and increases the owners’ responsibility and liability for their vessels.

Under this law, you cannot:

• Abandon your boat.
• Leave your boat in poor condition in the same spot for more than 60 days.
• Let your boat become a wreck because you didn’t maintain it.
• Sink, strand, or ground your boat on purpose.
• Leave your boat adrift for more than 48 hours without securing it.

If your boat reaches the end of its life, you must get rid of it properly. Ignoring your responsibilities under Canadian law can lead to fines or even jail.

Report Abandoned Boats

If you see an abandoned or hazardous boat, report it to the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada at www.canada.ca/reportaboat

Take Action Now

Abandoning a boat is not only irresponsible but also illegal. It harms the environment, safety of others, and the economy. By understanding your responsibilities and taking action, you can help protect Canada’s beautiful waters and coastal communities.