The Canadian Coast Guard has issued its first fine under the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act to a vessel owner in B.C.
The fine was issued to the owner of the 27-foot white hull cabin cruiser Akoo on June 27, the coast guard said in a news release. The vessel is currently grounded in Cadboro Bay.
The owner was fined $15,000 in the form of an administrative monetary penalty and must pay within 30 days or apply for a review hearing with the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.
The fine comes after the coast guard responded to the Akoo multiple times over the past few months, including when the vessel drifted ashore, discharged pollution, and began to deteriorate rapidly – posing a public safety hazard. Its owner failed to remove it from the water when directed to by authorities.
The Oak Bay Police Department assisted the coast guard in issuing the fine.
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