Surrey to remove derelict boats on Nicomekl River

Surrey city staff will begin removing derelict boats on the Nicomekl River in South Surrey, with help from Transport Canada.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says the river has many spots where boats can legally drop anchor, so there is no reason for any boater to illegally moor their vessel.

The plan is to remove the boats starting this month and clean up the debris in that section of the river.

The city hasn’t yet said how much the effort to remove these boats will cost, nor whether the boaters will face fines.

In 2017, the federal government introduced the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, which gives the government the power to go after boat owners when their vessels are wrecked or left behind, including fines of up to $1 million.