A boat that sank in Porpoise Bay earlier this month could stay where it lies until the owner takes action to salvage it, in part because the Coast Guard has determined it’s not a hazard to navigation or a pollution risk.
The Gulfstream II, a 30-metre (100-foot) cruiser that was one of the most visible of the cluster of problem boats in the area, sank on Sept. 7.
According to a statement from the Coast Guard, the vessel has been assessed and is not a hazard. “All accessible hydrocarbons had been removed from this vessel in December 2017,” the statement said. “An over-flight and on-water assessments of the area were conducted on September 25 and no pollution was observed.”
Since the Gulfstream and a pair of smaller boats went down in early September, residents of the Porpoise Bay area have been writing Sechelt council to urge the district to move faster to deal with problem vessels through new federal programs.
An email response from the district, copied to Coast Reporter, said the Gulfstream had been scheduled for removal sometime this month, but its sinking changed the situation.
“Last year Transport Canada had all hazardous materials removed and arranged for ongoing maintenance to keep it afloat until the vessel could be removed. The removal date had been scheduled for this month.”
Sechelt officials also maintain the Gulfstream was “the responsibility of Transport Canada.” Transport Canada has not yet responded to Coast Reporter’s request to clarify the status of the boat at the time of its sinking, and whether Transport Canada has any role to play in deciding the fate of the wreck.
The statement from the Coast Guard said only, “It continues to be the responsibility of the owner to take any additional measures related to that vessel.”
The agency also said a fourth boat, spotted adrift near Poise Island on Sept. 24, “was determined to not be at risk of polluting, however it was considered a hazard to navigation and was secured to a breakwater.”
The Sept. 27 email from the district also said Sechelt expects to complete its assessment and documentation of abandoned vessels in Porpoise Bay in early October and that “this information will be used by Transport Canada to determine the priority for the removal of the vessels. Our staff were informed by the Coast Guard that within six months the Vessels of Concern program will have the legislation in place to be able to investigate and remove abandoned vessels.”
