In Mannion Bay, water is seeping into the June Ruth. Bit by bit, the sea is reclaiming the abandoned boat.
But no more, next week, the derelict vessel will be put out of her misery and removed, thanks to recently announced federal funding.
Friday morning Pam Goldsmith-Jones, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, announced over $80,000 of funding to B.C. recipients under the federal Abandoned Boats Act.
“Abandoned boats are a growing problem in Canada, and I have to take my hat off to Bowen Island for drawing attention to that fact and working so hard to get the legislation in place,” said Goldsmith-Jones. She made the announcement on behalf of federal Minister of Transport Marc Garneau.
Bowen Island will be getting $6,000 to remove the June Ruth, while West Vancouver will be getting $10,000 to remove a boat in Caulfield Cove.
Funding was also awarded to assess abandoned boats in Garden Bay, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Courtenay and Union Bay.
Bowen Island acting mayor Allison Morse was at the announcement. “We hope this is a fund that will carry-on indefinitely,” she said, “because it’s not a problem that’s going away."
Bruce Russell, spokesperson for Friends of Mannion Bay, has been vocal about the need to dispose of boats such as the June Ruth.
“It has been anchored unused and unattended for almost 18 months, taking up space in the bay and being nothing but an ugly, eyesore,” he said. “It has cost us taxpayers money during the past few months for pump-outs that were needed to keep her afloat while waiting for the federal Transport Canada funding announcement.”
At least two other boats in the bay are marked for removal, including one that has sunk. BIM manager of parks and environment and senior bylaw officer, Bonny Brokenshire, said that funding for disposing of those vessels is imminent.
Mannion Bay has been the subject of widespread discussion on Bowen as it has been a sort of dumping ground for boats near the end of their life.
Another boat, the Toroka, is beached at Seymour Bay, and Brokenshire says its estimated removal cost is $7500-$10,000. BIM is applying for funding under the same program, which usually covers 75 to 90 per cent of removal costs.
A total of five boats in Bowen waters are marked for removal with help from the federal abandoned boats program. Without the funding Brokenshire estimates that it would cost the municipality in the realm of $30,000 to dispose of the boats.
Since starting in her current position Brokenshire says that the municipality has removed around 20 boats over four meters in length.
Dealing with abandoned, or even occupied, vessels is complicated due to overlapping federal and local jurisdictions.
Therefore, Brokenshire says, “The only solution to solving marine issues is a collaborative approach.”
