Tag Archives: Abandoned Vessels

Rivers & Oceans

Deep Water Recovery executives say shipbreaking operations aren’t polluting Union Bay

Leave a comment

By Madeline Dunnett, The Discourse,  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On a stormy day at the end of September, the vessels at Deep Water Recovery’s site in Union Bay were being pummelled with rain. Robert Bohn Senior, one of the company owners, and operations manager Mark Jurisich were clad in high-visibility clothing and gumboots.

The two men were leading myself and The Discourse Nanaimo reporter, Mick Sweetman, on a tour of the property. It was the first time The Discourse was offered a visit to the site, though we have been reporting on the shipbreaking situation in Union Bay since October 2023.

Continue reading Deep Water Recovery executives say shipbreaking operations aren’t polluting Union Bay →
Transportation

 Recent Sinking & Previous Derelict Vessels in Squirrel Cove

On Sunday, June 2nd, a 50 foot vessel sank near the Squirrel Cove dock on Cortes island.

“There was quite a lengthy,  involved, process with the Coast Guard and Transport Canada. I am very happy to say  that the vessel has now been removed and environmental remediation has taken place, but that was quite an exciting event for the Harbour Authority,” explained Jenny Hartwick, Harbourmaster for the Harbour Authority Cortes Island (HACI).

Continue reading  Recent Sinking & Previous Derelict Vessels in Squirrel Cove →
Rivers & Oceans, Transportation

Wrecked Boat on the Rocks Below My Property

Text by Myrna Kerr; Photos by Mike Manson

A boat did a PanPan (“Possible Assistance Needed”) call at 4 AM on January 26, but the contact was not clear. So the Air Sea Rescue Helicopter went out looking for it.  The Sailboat was on the rocks below my house and, of course, out of sight even if it had lights on.

Continue reading Wrecked Boat on the Rocks Below My Property →
Rivers & Oceans, Transportation

The Dead Boats Disposal Society came to Cortes Island

The Dead Boats Disposal Society was on Cortes Island last week. 

John Roe (JR) said there are close to 4,000 abandoned boats in British Columbia, and he has been removing them for the past 30 years.  

The provincial government set up the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative Fund and the federal government has the Abandoned Boats Program. 

“We have our team and are pretty proficient at boat removal. It just requires a lot of pre-work. The pre-work is myself going out as a volunteer, reaching out to the communities, coming up and documenting the boats,” said Roe. 

That is what brought him to Cortes Island.  

Continue reading The Dead Boats Disposal Society came to Cortes Island →
Finances, Politics

Cortes Island matters at EASC’s Inaugural Meeting

A number of Cortes Island matters were discussed at the new Electoral Areas Service Committee’s (EASC) Inaugural meeting. This is a special committee made up of the four Strathcona Regional District rural directors and the first stop before their concerns are brought before the full board. The initial discussion of Cortes Island’s proposed Grants in Aid; a Whaletown Community Club request for funding to install a wheelchair ramp at the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery; and a proposed staff report about liveaboards: were all on the agenda today. As expected Gerald Whalley, the only director to have previously served on the Board, was elected Chair. The big news is that Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch has been elected Vice Chair.

Continue reading Cortes Island matters at EASC’s Inaugural Meeting →