June 4, 2019

Boating Ontario announces the official launch of the Abandoned Boats Project Awareness Campaign aiming to increase boat owners’ awareness of their responsibilities, including proper management of their boat at the end of its life.

Boating Ontario was the recipient of a grant under Transport Canada’s Abandoned Boats Program assisting in the removal of abandoned or wrecked small boats posing a risk to Canadian Waters.  The program will help to educate small boat owners about how to responsibly manage their boats and support research on boat recycling.

The project will be carried out over three years and will consist of the development of communication tools both print and web based promoting the importance of and options for responsible boat recycling to consumers, industry representatives and Boating Ontario members.  In order to promote awareness of boat recycling Boating Ontario will participate in industry trade shows, implement a social media campaign, public service announcements via industry partners and internal communications with membership.

According to Rick Layzell, CEO of Boating Ontario, “Abandoned boats have challenged our industry for decades, Transport Canada’s grant will assist our association in providing meaningful consumer communications as well as salvage and recycling solutions for industry.”

Abandoned boats pose a number of environmental and safety risks due to the release of toxins affecting marine life and surrounding habitat.   In addition to being an eyesore, these vessels act as a barrier to business development and local economies including waterfront development.

The Abandoned Boats Program is making funds available for the permanent removal of abandoned and/or wrecked small boats that pose a hazard to Canadian waters. Applications are now being accepted for private ports and marinas until March 31, 2020.

Apply for ABP-A&R Funding

For more information on abandoned boats and what to do with them visit https://www.boatingontario.ca/cpages/abandonedboats .