Owning a boat comes with a lot of responsibility. If you own a boat, you need to take care of it. Abandoning your boat is against the law. Neglecting your boat to the point where it becomes a wreck is also illegal.
Abandoned and wrecked boats can pollute the water, harm wildlife, damage docks and other structures, and make waterways dangerous to navigate.
Make sure you know your responsibilities as a boat owner.
On this page
- Know what’s illegal
- Fines
- Problem vessels bulletin board
- What to do if you find an abandoned boat or wreck
Know what’s illegal
Under Canadian law, it’s illegal to:
- abandon your boat
- neglect your boat to the point it becomes a wreck
- sink, strand, or ground your boat on purpose
- leave your damaged boat in the same spot for more than 60 continuous days without permission from the landowner
- leave your boat adrift for more than 48 hours without trying to secure it
- claim a wreck before reporting it to the Receiver of Wreck, unless:
- the wreck is in danger, and you need to act to keep it safe
- the Receiver of Wreck gives you permission to claim the wreck
- bring a wreck into the country from outside of Canadian waters without reporting it to the Receiver of Wreck as soon as possible
Fines
If you don’t follow the law, Transport Canada or the Canadian Coast Guard may take action.
This can include administrative monetary penalties (fines issued through an administrative process) from $5,000 to $50,000 for a person and up to $250,000 for a business. In the most serious cases, which could relate to serious harm or damage to the environment, human life or health, you could be prosecuted (brought before a judge) and may be liable for a fine of up to $1 million for a person and up to $6 million for a business.
Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard both publish records to show what people and companies have been fined.
Problem vessels bulletin board
Transport Canada has a bulletin board where we list problem boats. It shows ones for which we’re trying to find the owner of or we plan to take action on.
Canadian law also allows Transport Canada to sell, destroy, or get rid of a boat/wreck, along with their contents.
If you own a boat listed on the bulletin board, or if you have more info about a boat on the list, contact your nearest regional office.
What to do if you find an abandoned boat or wreck
If you’ve found an abandoned boat or wreck, report it.