BOAT DISPOSAL
Too many boats in British Columbia are left to grow old on moorages, in marinas and along our beaches and coastlines. In time these abandoned boats contaminate our marine environment, can pose a hazard to navigation and negatively impact our waterfront communities.
When the time comes to retire your boat, it’s your responsibility to give it a proper farewell and do your part to ensure our pristine waterways are available for generations to come. That means finding your old boat a good home or disposing of it in the most environmentally responsible way possible.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve compiled some resources below to help:
- frequently asked questions and answers
- list of businesses that offer boat disposal services in five key BC regions.
If you have a question not addressed below, please email us and we’ll find the answer for you.
TRANSPORT CANADA'S ABANDONED BOATS PROGRAM
Learn more about the federal government's plan to tackle this issue and pursue owners o
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are there options if I no longer want my boat, but it’s not ready for retirement yet?
How do I know when it’s time to retire my boat?
How much does it cost to dispose of a boat?
Can all or part of my boat be recycled or sold?
Can I dispose of my boat myself?
Will someone transport my boat for me?
What is the most environmentally responsible way to dispose of a boat?
BOAT DISPOSAL SERVICES
Some companies provide full-service boat disposal; if you drop your boat off at their business, they will strip it of contaminants and hazardous waste, remove all parts and fittings, sell or recycle what’s possible and dispose of the hull. Other companies will provide partial services such as hauling the boat out of the water or transporting it to a disposal yard for you. Below is a list of services by region:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - ANSWERS
Are there options if I no longer want my boat, but it’s not ready for retirement yet?
If you have a boat that you no longer want, you may want to consider donating it to one of the following worthy causes:
How do I know when it’s time to retire my boat?
It’s time to retire your boat when:
- When the essential repairs to keep your boat operational exceed the monetary or emotional value of the boat.
- It is no longer seaworthy.
- It can no longer safely be operated.
How much does it cost to dispose of a boat?
The cost of disposing a boat varies greatly depending on it’s type, composition and size. We suggest you contact one or two local business that offer boat disposal services in your area and ask for an estimate. Make sure you inquire about the cost for each step of the process to ensure there are no surprises!
Can all or part of my boat be recycled or sold?
Some parts of a boat can be repurposed: engines, propane tanks, electronics and metal hulls etc. These would be removed as part of the disposal process and can be recycled, sold or disposed of appropriately. Wood and fibreglass hulls are not currently recyclable.
Can I dispose of my boat myself?
Yes, you can dispose of your boat yourself and some boat yards will let you do the work on their site. You will have to ensure that you meet the requirements of your municipality regarding the proper removal and disposal of hazardous materials, recyclable components and other parts of the boat that are not accepted in your local landfill. There are boat transportation companies listed in our resources that can assist with transporting the vessel if needed. Boat movers charge on size and distance towed.
Will someone transport my boat for me?
Yes, there are many boat transportation services available to move your boat to a disposal yard. They are listed in our resources and charge based on the size of the boat and distance towed; there are height restrictions that you will also want to inquire about.
What is the most environmentally responsible way to dispose of a boat?
Enlist the services of a reputable disposal company who will do the work as environmentally responsibly as possible. Inquire to ensure they will properly remove hazardous materials, recyclable parts and anything else on the boat that is not permitted in the land fill or has value and can be sold; these items should be disposed of in accordance with each region’s waste disposal guidelines. The hull can be recycled if it’s metal; fibreglass and wood hulls will be demolished and transported to a land fill.
To understand the difference between a Pleasure Craft License versus Registration, click here.
If your boat is registered, you must submit a letter signed by the registered owner(s) to request the boat be removed from the Register.
Within the letter, please include:
- The name and signature(s) of registered owner(s).
- the name of the vessel and official registration number,
- and provide a reason for closure – specify whether the boat was destroyed, scrapped, burned, sank, broken up, etc and include the date at which it happened.
Please submit the letter by:
- Email at vr-ib@tc.gc.ca
- Fax at 613.998.0637, or
- Or mail at the following address :
Transport Canada
Vessel Registration (AMSED)
Marine Safety & Security
330 Sparks Street, 3rd Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N8
Please note that if a mortgage is registered against the vessel, the registered owner(s) is/are required to contact the mortgages(s) to have the mortgage removed from the Register.
To learn more about closing-out the vessels registry, click here. For more information, please contact vr-ib@tc.gc.ca.
If your boat has a pleasure craft license, you can cancel the license by mailing in this form.
Within the form:
- complete parts A, B, under “Reason for the application” fill in “Cancellation” and part F.
- attach supporting documents outlined in the form (download here).
Please submit your application with the required documents to:
Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
P.O. Box 2006
Fredricton, New Brunswichk E3B 5G4