An aerial view of two boats on clear, turquoise water. The larger boat is equipped with a crane and several crew members in safety gear, actively working. Beneath the surface, part of a submerged vessel is visible.
Photo Credit: Salish Sea industries
During the summer months, abandoned boats can clog up our beaches and become a hazard for other boats on the water.
In 2019, Indigenous-owned Salish Sea Industrial Services became one of the first funding recipients from the Abandoned Boats Program to start addressing the major issue of abandoned boats on BC’s coast.
Here, Operations Manager Rob Menzies tells how funding has facilitated the entire process, from taking possession of an abandoned boat, to breaking it down and recycling it. In addition, Rob explains how the surrounding communities have been impacted by this initiative.
Can you tell us about Salish Sea Services and its primary focus?
Originally, our primary focus was on government contracts to build marine infrastructure such as ferry terminals and navigation aids for the Coast Guard. We have access to large barges and cranes and we can efficiently transport large pieces, which, when we heard about the Abandoned Boats Program initiative and funding, we knew we could get the job done.
Can you tell us about one of your first clean-ups under the Abandoned Boats Program?
At that time, one beach on Salt Spring Island, Fulford Harbour, had nine boats that ended up being beached and eventually abandoned due to storms. The beach was in a disastrous state, and there was no money or means to get rid of all the abandoned vessels in the local community.
Some grass-roots organizations set up a weekend day here and there to try and make a dent, but it was like a bee sting on an elephant. The only way to do that kind of cleanup is with government funding.
So, in 2019, thanks to the Abandoned Boats Program funding, we were able to go in there, remove, transport, and recycle all nine boats. That year, we were able to remove a total of 17 boats. It was really cool being able to see a beach that was unusable to being completely transformed, almost right before your eyes.
What types of boats do you encounter, and are there any particularly challenging ones?
We deal with a variety of abandoned boats, including pleasure crafts and houseboats. However, we also encounter challenging cases, such as big steel vessels with holes in them that can weigh over a hundred thousand pounds.
A large crane is lifting an old, weathered houseboat from the water. The crane is positioned on a barge, and a worker stands nearby, observing the operation.
Photo Credit: Salish Sea industries
How do you handle different recovery scenarios?
If the boat is beached or above water, we use large barges and cranes to lift the boat off the beach and onto a barge, which typically takes about two hours. If the vessel is submerged, we bring in a team of commercial divers to attach cables and lift the boat, a process that can take a full day for a 30 to 40-foot sailboat.
What takes place after you take possession of a boat?
The process starts with removing the boat from the marine environment and bringing it back to our junkyard in Victoria, where we offload it. We then test for hazardous materials, which determines whether we can quickly move forward with collecting scrap metals and recycling or permanently disposing of non-recyclable parts. From offloading to assessment, the process takes about a week and a half. If we find hazardous materials, we have to abate them.
What impact has your work had on the community and environment?
Our work has had a significant positive impact on the community and environment. For example, the ferry terminal at Salt Spring Island used to be an unusable beach. Now, it is a pleasant area where people can grab a coffee and enjoy the beach and views while waiting for the ferry. The local community is ecstatic about the transformation.
How do you feel about the work you are doing?
We take great pride in our work and feel well-positioned to do it thoroughly and responsibly. As a First Nations-owned business, we are passionate stewards of the environment. Being able to tell these success stories reinforces the importance and positive impact of our efforts on communities and ecosystems.