BEAUHARNOIS, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Nov. 10, 2016) - Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced the first phase in ensuring the permanent removal of the Kathryn Spirit vessel from the shores of Beauharnois.
Groupe St-Pierre will begin work in December to further secure the Kathryn Spirit, by building a protective embankment around it and isolating the vessel from the marine environment.
This critical step will also facilitate the future dismantlement and removal of the vessel while eliminating future damage to the vessel's structural integrity due to ice flow movement. Plans and funding for the next phases are currently being finalized, with work expected to begin in spring 2017.
The Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada will continue to keep the community of Beauharnois and its officials engaged on the project and updated as work progresses.
The Government of Canada will follow through on its commitment to deal with vessels of concern so they do not pose significant risks to the public or the marine environment.
On November 7, 2016, the Government of Canada announced the Oceans Protection Plan, which includes a comprehensive strategy to address abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels in Canadian waters. Going forward, this will reduce the risk of situations like the Kathryn Spirit from reoccurring.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada recognizes the risks that abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels pose to safe navigation, the marine environment, public health and local economies. This is why we announced last Monday the Oceans Protection Plan. This comprehensive plan improves marine safety and responsible shipping, protects Canada's marine environment, and creates stronger partnerships with Indigenous and coastal communities. It also focuses on prevention and removal, including a robust, polluter-pay approach for future vessel clean-up."
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
"Today's announcement is the first step in addressing the concerns raised by the community for many years. We are confident that previous steps taken, and the upcoming construction of the embankment, will properly secure the vessel over the winter before work to dismantle it can begin. "
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick Facts
- The construction of the embankment will begin in December and will be completed this winter.
- The Kathryn Spirit has been moored to the shore of Beauharnois, Quebec since 2011, when it was abandoned by its owner.
- Coast Guard has taken multiple measures to secure the vessel, including installing stabilization cables and barges.
Related Products
Backgrounder - Taking action on abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels
Associated Links
Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca.
Follow us on Twitter! www.Twitter.com/CCG_GCC
Contact Information:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec Region
medias.qc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
418-648-5474
Sebastien Belliveau
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
sebastien.belliveau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca