BC Parks says it’s working to remove a pair of long-abandoned boats lying half-sunk in the inter-tidal zone at Plumper Cove Provincial Park on Keats Island, and taking steps to deal with boats left tied up beyond the allowed time.
Islands Trust trustee Dave Rogers told Coast Reporter that he contacted BC Parks about the wrecks about six months ago, and the Gambier Island Local Trust Committee (which includes Keats) passed a motion and wrote the Environment Ministry in November asking for their removal.
The ministry got the necessary federal approval for the work in December.
“It’s encouraging to see that the advocacy from many Howe Sound local governments and stakeholder groups is getting the attention of the federal and provincial governments to deal with the problem vessels we have now, and the progress being made on Bill C-64 to address the bigger issues of owner responsibilities and the senior governments’ responsibilities to prevent the problems from recurring,” said Ian Winn, Sunshine Coast Regional District director for West Howe Sound.
Coast Reporter has also heard from boaters who frequent Plumper Cove who claim as many as four vessels have been tied up at the BC Parks dock well beyond the 14-night limit.
David Karn, who speaks for the Environment Ministry, said BC Parks is aware of an “ongoing issue with boats illegally moored within Plumper Cove Provincial Park for more than the maximum allowable stay.”
Plumper Cove is operated by Swens Contracting of Sechelt, which is also the operator for the Sunshine Coast’s other provincial park campgrounds.
“The park operator for Plumper Cove is monitoring the situation and will take necessary action for those boats moored over the posted limit,” said Karn.
Karn added that the 14-night maximum stay is cumulative through the year, and the owners of any boats found to have exceeded the maximum will be given 48 hours to move.
