What to do if you find an abandoned boat or wreck

From: Transport Canada

If you think you’ve found an abandoned boat or wreck, report it.

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How to report an abandoned boat or wreck

How you report an abandoned boat or wreck depends on the boat’s condition and location. What best describes the situation?

  • The boat or wreck is an immediate and serious threat to public safety

    If the boat or wreck is an immediate and serious threat to public safety (because of fire or explosion) or you’ve seen suspicious activities:

    • Call local police or emergency services. Dial 9-1-1.

  • The boat or wreck is a threat to safe navigation

    If the boat or wreck poses a potential, actual, or immediate threat to safe navigation (because it makes navigation dangerous or blocks other boats from a passage), contact Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program:

    • Atlantic (NB, PEI, NL, NS): 506-851-3113
    • Prairie and Northern Region (AB, SK, MB, Arctic): 1-844-425-7787
    • Ontario: 519-383-1863
    • Quebec: 1-877-646-6420
    • Pacific (BC): 604-775-8867

  • The boat or wreck poses a risk to the environment or to the health and well-being of the community

    If the vessel or wreck poses a risk to the environment or to the health and well-being of the local community (for example, the vessel is in poor condition and could harm the environment if it sinks), report it to the Canadian Coast Guard, available 24/7:

    • Atlantic (NB, PEI, NL, NS): 1-800-565-1633
    • Central (ON, QC): 1-800-363-4735
    • Western (BC, AB, SK, MB, YT, NWT): 1-800-889-8852
    • Nunavut: 1-867-979-5269

  • The boat or wreck appears to be in a worn-down state (dilapidated)

    If the boat or wreck appears to be in a worn-down state (dilapidated) and has been in the same location for an extended period without authorization, report it to the Canadian Coast Guard, available 24/7:

    • Atlantic (NB, PEI, NL, NS): 1-800-565-1633
    • Central (ON, QC): 1-800-363-4735
    • Western (BC, AB, SK, MB, YT, NWT): 1-800-889-8852
    • Nunavut: 1-867-979-5269

  • The boat or wreck appears to be a military or heritage wreck

    If the boat or wreck appears to be a military or heritage wreck, do not touch it. Report it to the Canadian Coast Guard, available 24/7:

    • Atlantic (NB, PEI, NL, NS): 1-800-565-1633
    • Central (ON, QC): 1-800-363-4735
    • Western (BC, AB, SK, MB, YT, NWT): 1-800-889-8852
    • Nunavut: 1-867-979-5269

  • The boat or wreck appears to be abandoned but doesn’t pose any safety concerns

    If the boat appears to be abandoned, but doesn’t appear to be a threat to public safety, safe navigation, or the environment, you should still report it to the Canadian Coast Guard, available 24/7:

    • Atlantic (NB, PEI, NL, NS): 1-800-565-1633
    • Central (ON, QC): 1-800-363-4735
    • Western (BC, AB, SK, MB, YT, NWT): 1-800-889-8852
    • Nunavut: 1-867-979-5269

  • You want to move, take possession of, or dispose of the boat

    If you want to move, take possession of, or dispose of the boat, do not touch it. Report it to the Canadian Coast Guard, available 24/7:

    • Atlantic (NB, PEI, NL, NS): 1-800-565-1633
    • Central (ON, QC): 1-800-363-4735
    • Western (BC, AB, SK, MB, YT, NWT): 1-800-889-8852
    • Nunavut: 1-867-979-5269

  • You want to import, salvage, take possession of, or otherwise report a found wreck

    Contact your region’s Receiver of Wreck through Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program:

    • Atlantic (NB, PEI, NL, NS): 506-851-3113
    • Prairie and Northern Region (AB, SK, MB, Arctic): 1-844-425-7787
    • Ontario: 519-383-1863
    • Quebec: 1-877-646-6420
    • Pacific (BC): 604-775-8867

Download the printable infographic

I found a wrecked, abandoned or hazardous boat

I found a wrecked, abandoned or hazardous boat
(PDF, 327 KB)

 

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