Some of the boats kicked out of the Gorge Waterway by the City of Victoria have turned up in Brentwood Bay, says a local resident who is concerned about the health of the Saanich Inlet ecosystem.
At least three, possibly four, of the Gorge boats arrived within recent weeks, Michael Simmons, a Brentwood Bay resident and member of the Saanich Inlet Protection Society, said Monday.
In his view: “It is Victoria that has dumped their problem on their neighbours.”
The city took action in the Gorge to clear out abandoned, derelict and illegally moored boats, giving them an Oct. 28 deadline to relocate.
The newcomers to Brentwood Bay are only one aspect of what’s happening in those waters, where Central Saanich council is looking at taking a stronger role in dealing with a range of issues regarding vessels.
It is a complex situation given that local, provincial and federal governments all have some responsibility.
Two boats, one a sailboat and one a power boat, are fully or partly underwater in Brentwood Bay, and council is considering spending up to $18,000 to remove them.
Brentwood Bay has attracted boaters for decades and is home to marinas. Simmons, who has a rowboat and kayak, estimates about 80 boats are anchored in the bay outside the marinas.
“The numbers are increasing very fast.”
Although some boats are in good condition, some are not. Simmons fears that some might be dumping sewage into the water.
In the past, the society had its own volunteer-manned boat to pump out holding tanks. But that by-donation service ended last year when its vessel deteriorated and was taken out of service.
Residents’ concerns also include garbage dumping, cars parked on the streets and noise, especially in the summer, Simmons said. “We just want people to act responsibly.”
Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor said the two submerged vessels being considered for removal were an issue before Victoria’s Gorge deadline.
A staff report about the situation, requested months ago, is “a step to look at what are the options for us. What makes sense for us going forward,” Windsor said.
“I think every municipality that has a coastline probably at some point is going to struggle with this, especially where you have waters that are calm. It’s not an unusual problem.”
Issues include marine-based pollution, dumping, the lack of holding tanks, the accumulation of vessels and potential impact on navigation channels, Windsor said.
Suggested actions from staff include holding a public information meeting to collect information on community concerns, and asking the provincial and federal governments for more resources to remove and dispose of derelict and abandoned vessels, buoys and other marine refuse.
Other options include preparing cost estimates for new bylaws, and setting up a technical advisory committee to advise council on developing a new management plan for the bay. This would include new regulations for moorage and for live-aboard vessels.
A pump-out facility could be installed at the municipal wharf, along with a garbage bin and collection, the report said. Also suggested were education for boaters, leasing a patrol vessel and new marker buoys showing navigation channels in the bay.
