Vancouver BC, one of the most beautiful, cosmopolitan cities on the West Coast, offers expansive city parks, fountains, and incredible architecture; a city of glass rising in contrast with the surrounding mountain peaks. Visiting by private boat is perhaps the best way to enjoy this wonderful city. Marinas in Coal Harbour, east of the Lions Gate Bridge, offer guest moorage and access to great restaurants. Tour boats and floatplanes come and go; tourists and locals walk or bicycle the promenade. False Creek on the southside has multiple marinas with guest moorage, home to the excellent Granville Island Public Market. Foot ferries crisscross the bay for sightseeing and access to great restaurants along the promenade circling False Creek. Vancouver is a very walkable city, with separate bike lanes skirting all of its waterways. Or you can walk from False Creek to Coal Harbour through downtown, enjoying the shops, wide sidewalks, and plazas. We did just that when we visited Vancouver this last summer.
The City of Vancouver has succeeded in keeping the city clean and livable. The only noted blight in downtown Vancouver were a few derelict boats anchored in False Creek. But thanks to the federal government’s “Wrecked, Abandoned, or Hazardous Vessels Act,” the city took steps to have those abandoned or hazardous boats removed. Under the federal Act, if Transport Canada deems a vessel has been abandoned or left unattended for two years, or it appears that the owner will not be returning, then steps can be taken to have the vessel removed. Similar to the Derelict Vessel Act/Program in Washington State, Transport Canada posts a notice on the vessel in question; if there is no response, Transport Canada then publishes a Notice of intent to remove the vessel. Owners have 30 days to respond before Transport Canada has the vessel hauled out of the water for disposal. All refuse and recyclables are handled by local regulated facilities.
After serving the appropriate notices, Transport Canada recently seized and disposed of 11 vessels that were anchored in False Creek which were found to be abandoned or hazardous. Recreational vessels visiting Vancouver can now look forward to anchoring in the bay without the unsightly or questionable presence of derelict boats. Anchoring in the bay is allowed with a permit, which is available online at http://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/anchoring.aspx or you can pick up a permit at Heather Civic Marina. Those with a permit can anchor in False Creek up to 14 days, April-September; and for 21 days, October-March. Whether you are staying at a marina or anchored in False Creek, Vancouver is a great place to visit any time of year.
Derelict Boats Photo: Arlen Redekop
False Creek Photo: Wikipedia
