In this two-part series, Coast Reporter looks at the continuing issue of derelict boats in local waterways and attempts to untangle some of the bureaucracy surrounding the issue. Look for more government responses next week.
“Enough is enough.”
That’s the message Porpoise Bay resident Angelia Darnbrough and some other Sunshine Coast residents are attempting to get through to several levels of government when it comes to the numerous derelict vessels found “moored” in surrounding waterways.
Darnbrough and others want to stress, their concern is not the fact these unsightly boats/barges/platforms/houseboats, many overflowing with garbage and debris, are ruining their pristine views of Sechelt Inlet, but rather the fact the owners have typically anchored illegally, discharge sewer and dump garbage into the ocean, run deafening generators, party into the early hours of the morning, and are free from any noise bylaws or environment enforcement.
Many of the vessels are abandoned, which leaves them to the mercy of the weather, while leaking oil and gas into the water, contributing to what some are calling an “environmental disaster.”
“I'm more than happy to advocate for the community and Porpoise Bay, because I've had the good fortune of growing up here and to me, it's a genuine jewel of our community,” said Darnbrough. “And it has been with great sadness that I've seen a tremendous decline in everything associated with the bay.”
Darnbrough started speaking out against the derelict and abandoned boats in the bay nine years ago, after a day when her son wanted to go swimming, but the water looked filthy. She called the District of Sechelt and after testing, the water was found to have high levels of E. Coli.
That was in 2016, but Darnbrough says the water quality has only gotten worse. She kept copies of those tests and several years later showed them to Coast Reporter. Processed through Vancouver Coastal Health in 2016, they showed 450 and 550 E. Coli per 100 millilitres – which exceeds the health authority’s threshold for safe amounts for swimming.
“It's because we've had a growing number of derelict boats suddenly move in. Up until that point, there had been nobody in the bay,” she said. “I think there's been a lot of confusion over the years about the type of people out there. There are some that are displaced. You know, somebody sold them a boat for a buck and they said, ‘Hey, well, looks better than a tent.’ Well, they're not the majority.”
Darnbrough said when you look out at the bay today, there are people living on houseboats with solar panels, sliding glass doors and sun decks.
“Last count I was out, there were at least five floating houses. It’s like we've given a green light to the world. ‘Hey, you want a free ride? Come to Sechelt.’ And the problem with that is, who's advocating for the ecosystem? Because these people are coming in with footprints bigger than RVs, so it blocks the valued sunlight that goes to the bottom of the bay that helps the development of grasses and food sources for the animals that live within this bay. So, who's advocating for the crabs and shellfish and the eagles? It's just become a complete free-for-all.”
A newcomer who arrived at the bay several weeks ago showed up with what looks like a large boat, with a sailboat strapped to its side and at least three small motor boats attached, two floating from lines and a third tied to the top of the main vessel.
During a recent tour of the bay, Coast Reporter witnessed multiple vessels, platforms and houseboats, some with barbecues, a gazebo, a pergola, outhouses, extra boats, boat parts and piles of debris. One setup includes a floating boat house surrounded by boats of varying sizes.
“My family's owned property in this community for over 100 years and we've had that good fortune, but I’ve got to tell you, it’s been with tremendous grief that I have looked at the decline of the bay,” said Darnbrough. “Our community relies on tourism. Why would we allow the jewel of the Sunshine Coast, which is Porpoise Bay, to become a garbage dump, which it is. And these are our waters. What we're asking for is management of these waters.”
Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Randene Neill told Coast Reporter she’s very familiar with the issue of derelict boats, not only in and around Pender Harbour where she lives, but the entire Coast and across B.C.
“Since I've become the minister, I know that there's a lot of concern over in Ladysmith as well,” said Neill, who is also Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “That MLA calls me all the time and says we’ve got to figure this out. So, it's an issue. I think there's more than 1,400 derelict vessels in B.C. that are damaging the ecosystem.”
Neill describes most cases of derelict boats as “multi-jurisdictional,” which make them more complicated to deal with.
“The other complicated issue is that it is expensive, really expensive,” said Neill. “The federal government has the primary responsibility for managing derelict vessels, but the province definitely supports them when vessels are located solely on provincial jurisdiction, like the foreshore for example.”
She says one section of the BC Coastal Marine Strategy, which passed last July, was developed to help manage the responsibility of derelict boats.
“But at this point, again, the federal government does hold primary responsibility and they have jurisdiction over the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act. And the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada are the lead agencies tasked with managing derelict vessels,” said Neill.
She noted, the provincial Ministry of Environment and Parks is responsible for pollution and spill events originating from a vessel or that impact provincial jurisdiction. As well, the Environmental Emergency Branch takes the on spills and collaborates with the federal government to respond to reports of derelict vessels.
Neill said municipalities can also take responsibility for some of the problems surrounding the issue.
“But of course, that's an extra responsibility on local governments when they are already tapped to the max, so it's difficult for local governments to take that on,” said Neill.
She added, it’s apparent many people living on these vessels — or who abandon them free of charge — are fully aware of just how complicated the rules are so take advantage of those grey areas, which is frustrating for people living in waterfront communities.
She said a meeting is in the works with some of the residents of Porpoise Bay, with a date yet to be determined. Neill also plans to use part of her upcoming vacation to visit the area and see the boats for herself.
