C-64

Details

Full Title

An Act respecting wrecks, abandoned, dilapidated or hazardous vessels and salvage operations

First Reading

October 30, 2017, Parliament 42, Session 1

Type

House Government Bill

Full Content

https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/42-1/c-64

Summary

The Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act is a law that aims to protect the public, the environment, and infrastructure by managing wrecks and hazardous vessels in Canadian waters. It makes vessel owners responsible for their ships. The law puts the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007 into action. It also says that larger vessels and those being towed need to have insurance to cover wreck removal.

The Act makes it illegal to abandon a vessel unless it's allowed by law or due to an emergency at sea. Leaving a damaged vessel in one spot for too long without permission is also against the law. The Minister of Transport or the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans can order the removal of a damaged vessel from federal land. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans can take action to prevent or reduce dangers from vessels or wrecks and make the owner pay for it. The Minister of Transport can also take action on abandoned or damaged vessels and hold the owner responsible.

The law includes rules for managing and enforcing these regulations, like fines. It allows the government to make rules about which vessels the law applies to, setting fees, and salvage operations. It updates rules about the International Convention on Salvage, 1989, and how to handle wrecks. The law aims to protect owners of wrecks when the owner is unknown and protects wrecks with historical importance.

Finally, the law makes changes to other existing laws to align with these new regulations.

Issues

Economy

• Spending

  This Act allows the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to spend money to take action on vessels or wrecks that are hazards. Owners may also be liable for the costs.

Environment

• Environmental Protection

  This Act focuses on protecting the environment, coastlines, and shorelines by regulating wrecks and vessels that pose hazards. It aims to prevent pollution and other harmful consequences from abandoned, dilapidated, or hazardous vessels.

Security and Defense

• Crime

  The Act includes enforcement measures, such as fines and penalties, for those who do not follow the regulations. It creates offenses for abandoning vessels, failing to maintain them, or knowingly causing them to sink or run aground.