The city of Port Moody is threatening to tow five boats from its port Monday, in a bid to crack down on long-term moorage, derelict boats, and dumping sewage.
The city’s new Designated Anchorage Area went into effect July 18. It requires all boats to anchor within the DAA and that all boaters must have a permit to stay overnight.
“Five more boats being towed from DAA on Monday,” the city tweeted on Friday. “Please get DAA permit or remove your boat.”
The program was implemented to address concerns related to unauthorized, long-term moorage, uninsured boats, safety issues related to abandoned and improperly anchored boats, and dumping of sewage into the inlet.
“Our residents have expressed their concern and frustration with boats that have not been managed responsibly,” Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay said in a statement announcing the new rules.
“There have been safety issues with uninsured, derelict boats running adrift, as well as health concerns about sewage being dumped by boaters who live aboard their boat year round. This Designated Anchorage Area will allow boaters to stay in the inlet and enjoy our beautiful city, but it will also provide a much needed process to protect our natural environment and prevent the problems we’ve seen in the past.”
The city said in a release that four large buoys were installed to provide a clearly marked and well-managed area to ensure boats can anchor safely.
It noted that boaters had received multiple notices over the previous 18 months about the pilot program.
Enforcement will include the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority towing boats that are anchored outside of the DAA or do not have a permit.
The city will work with the Port to monitor the program and determine the most effective enforcement strategy in the long term. The city said that boats can be anchored for up to 21 nights during a 40-day period, and up to 20 boats are permitted at a time in the designated area. The cost for the overnight permit is $12 per day plus a refundable $500 deposit.
All boaters applying for a permit must have a minimum of $2 million in liability insurance.
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