Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program (NPP) helps keep Canada’s waterways safe and open for transport and recreation.
Contact the Navigation Protection Program if:
- a boat or wreck blocks navigation
- a vessel makes boating unsafe
- you want to report, salvage, or take possession of a wreck
- you have questions about the Canadian Navigable Waters Act
- you have questions about the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act
Transport Canada’s regional NPP offices also act as the Receiver of Wreck. The Receiver of Wreck manages wrecks when the owner is unknown or can’t be found.
What the Receiver of Wreck does
- Receives reports of found wrecks and tries to find the owner
- Provides instructions if you want to salvage or take possession of a wreck
- Makes sure wrecks are handled according to the law
If you think you’ve found an abandoned, wrecked, or hazardous boat in Canadian waters, here’s a quick guide on who to contact:
- Immediate danger? Call 911
- Possible pollution or public-health risk? Contact Canadian Coast Guard
- Hazard to navigation or you want to salvage a wreck? Contact Transport Canada below
Contact the Navigation Protection Program office
Phone: 1-833-351-4828
Find the contact information for your regional NPP office.
For any maritime emergency, call the Canadian Coast Guard’s 24-hour emergency line.