Concerned residents have until November 7 to provide public comments over District of North Vancouver’s proposal to install a designated anchorage area in Deep Cove.
Transport Canada is reviewing the proposal and will determine whether the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental impacts.
The designated anchorage area would allow the District to restrict the number of anchorages, designate specific mooring locations, and limit the amount of time boats could remain anchored in Deep Cove.
The works include installation of four mooring buoys on the south side of Deep Cove, including hardware such as anchor, ground chain, mooring chain, and shackles.
Once approved, boats will be able to moor to one of the buoys for a maximum of 72 hours within a one-month period after paying a daily anchor fee.
The District’s proposal aims to address concerns over long-term boat anchorage in Deep Cove, which include:
Environmental impacts from spills and waste from the boats.
The potential for boats to break free from anchorage and either beach or damage other vessels and infrastructure, such as docks.
The costs associated with seizing and disposing of derelict and abandoned boats (tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the boat).
Recreational impacts, as space in a cove or inlet is compromised by increasing numbers of anchored boats (particularly in the summer months).
Objections from waterfront residents about the aesthetics of boats in an unmanaged anchorage area.
I support this proposal. Too many boats anchored is a navigational hazard as most have no lights. Also the waste that is getting flushed into the water is a major issue.
I support because I know of one person in particular who takes up to spots and stays all year round. There has to be some sort it limit to the amount of time spent in the area and for what purpose. If you’re living on the boat that’s also adding to the sewage waste dumped in the area because this same person doesn’t take their boats out to dump their waste.