A hefty fine has been issued to the owner of a vessel after it was deemed to be threatening to the marine environment.
Muriel D II’s owner was issued a $13,500 fine under the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act on June 12, 2024.
The 40-foot wooden fishing vessel was sitting in Matchlee Bay near Gold River and was partially sunk and posed the threat of completely sinking.
The owner was previously ordered to remove the vessel and take measures to prevent pollution from entering the marina nearly three months prior but failed to comply.
It marks the fifth time a vessel owner has been fined for a potentially hazardous ship in Canada with four of those coming from B.C.
The Canadian Coast Guard wants to remind vessel owners they are responsible for maintaining and keeping their vessels in good order and they must dispose of them in a proper manner when the vessel is no longer serviceable.
The Coast Guard removed the Muriel D II from Matchlee Bay soon after to protect the nearby marine environment.
