Port Moody cracks down on derelict boats

The City of Port Moody is cracking down on neglected,abandoned and derelict boats today.

At 9 a.m.the city intends tobegin removing any boats still mooredin itsnewlycreated Designated AnchorageArea, whichwent into effect, July 18.

The city has beenremoving illegal boats from thePort Moody Inlet over the last twoyears.

Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay says the move comes after years of planning including consultation with residents and boat owners.

"We had a lot of complaints from owners, some of whom would send me pictures of people living in their boats, people throwing garbageinto the water, of boatssinking, and boats that were washing up on the shore," saidClay.

He says navigationalso became increasingly cumbersomefor rowersand sailorswithmore and more boats being anchored in the inlet.

But without jurisdiction overthe Inlet, the city didn't have a say in what to do with some of the more delinquent boats.

"Wespent the last two and a half years trying to track down the owners of these boats, and have them removed for safety and environmentalconcerns," he said.

Giving the city more jurisdiction

So with the help of the Port of Vancouver, the city starteda Designated AnchorageArea pilot project, giving itjurisdiction overan area on the water.

All boats moored in the DAAwill now needto be insured, registered and permitted with the city in order to be docked there.

"The city wants to know who the owners of these boats are andto make sure that they have insurance, so if they cause any damage or wash up on the shore,we can identify the owners," Clay said.

Clay says throughpictures, the city established that some of the boats were coming fromFalse Creek after the City of Vancouver began the permitting process there.

"Some of them areabsolutely derelict ... there was one with theentire hullrottedand wasfalling apart andstartingto sink ... some had serious integrity issues," he said.

Clay says the 12boats that wereremoved from the Inletwere in dire condition.

He says about 17 boatshave already been removed from the Inlet and any remaining boats in the DAA will be towed by the city today.There have beenmore than30 otherboats in the Inlet thatwere orare being moved by owners whohave chosen to taketheir boats elsewhere.

Clay sayshopefully some of themwill have repairs done.

According to the City of Port Moody, now that the area isbeingcleared, the permitting system says:

• No anchoring is allowed outside of the DAA
• When boaters want to stay overnight, they must register with the city for a DAA permit.
• Boats can be anchored for up to 21 nights during a 40-day period.
• Boaters may extend their stay in the Inlet by moving to a marina or other permitted location after their allowable anchorage time has expired.

Boat owners andoperators within the DAAmust also sign a DAA permit contract and pay a$500 depositand a$12 per night fee.