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Your boat is your responsibility! Don’t abandon your vessel.

Abandoned vessels and wrecks can prevent boaters from enjoying waterways in BC. Abandoned boats near public areas pose safety risks and other hazards to public health, affect infrastructure and can harm marine life. Every boat owner is responsible for their vessel.

The Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act protects communities and the environment by addressing concerns related to abandoned vessels.

Through this Act, you cannot:
* Abandon your boat.
* Cause your boat to become a wreck because you fail to maintain it.
* Sink, strand or ground your boat on purpose.
* Leave your boat in poor condition in the same area for more than 60 consecutive days within a radius of 3 nm.
* Leave your boat adrift for more than 48 hours without taking measures to secure it.

Transport Canada monitors compliance and enforces these laws in all Canadian waters.

The Abandoned Boats Program supports research on boat recycling and environmentally responsible boat design.

If you find a wrecked. Abandoned, or hazardous vessel, report it to the Canadian Coast Guard, available 24/7: 1-800-889-8852

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