Small Craft Harbours Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels Removal Program

• Reimbursement of up to 100% of eligible costs for gaining legal possession of a vessel and for assessment activities, to a maximum of $5,000 per vessel.
• Reimbursement of up to 75% of eligible costs for the removal and disposal of an abandoned or wrecked vessel, up to $50,000 per vessel.
• Total annual funding available under the program is $250,000.

• The applicant must be one of the following: a province or agency thereof, a non-profit organization, an Indigenous group, any person as defined in the Fishing and Recreational Harbours Act (FRHA), or any combination of these.
• The vessel to be removed must be located within a small craft harbour listed in Schedule I of the Fishing and Recreational Harbours Regulations.

Who is eligible?

• Provincial governments or their agencies
• Non-profit organizations
• Indigenous groups
• Individuals as defined in the Fishing and Recreational Harbours Act
• Coalitions or combinations of the above entities

Who is not eligible

• Companies whose vessels are not located in a small boat harbor listed in Annex I of the Regulation on fishing and pleasure ports.
• Companies wishing to remove vessels that are outside the program's jurisdiction, notably outside the mentioned small boat harbors.
• Companies or individuals not meeting the legal ownership requirements or who have not completed all specific administrative procedures for the program.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and wages related to project management (e.g., Harbour Manager's salary for hours dedicated to the project).
• Travel expenses, including accommodations, vehicle rental, meal and per diem allowances consistent with government travel directives.
• Communication services, such as newspaper advertisements for public notices.
• Insurance costs necessary for project execution.
• Professional services, including environmental and risk assessments, legal fees, surveys, and contracted labour for vessel removal or disposal.
• Rental of space and equipment, such as vessel storage fees and towing equipment not already covered by contractors.
• GST/HST on eligible project expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Small craft harbours listed in Schedule I of the Fishing and Recreational Harbours Regulations, located across Canada and owned by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

• Step 1: Confirm Vessel Eligibility and Location
  • Ensure the vessel is located within a small craft harbour listed in Schedule I of the Fishing and Recreational Harbours Regulations.
  • Determine that the vessel meets the definition of abandoned and/or wrecked according to program criteria.
• Step 2: Gather Preliminary Documentation
  • Document all actions taken regarding the vessel, including photographs.
  • Assess if the vessel poses immediate safety, environmental, or navigation threats and contact appropriate authorities (911, Canadian Coast Guard, or Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program) if needed.
• Step 3: Develop a Project Plan
  • Create a project plan that outlines the schedule, key activities (such as assessments, surveys, possession activities, removal, and disposal), and identifies potential risks and mitigation strategies.
  • Ensure contractors and surveyors have appropriate insurance and certifications.
• Step 4: Prepare a Budget Plan
  • Track all expected expenditures.
  • Obtain multiple quotes for removal and disposal, detailing all step-by-step costs (salvage, transportation, disposal, etc.).
  • Prepare to record in-kind and cash contributions, as well as other financial supports.
• Step 5: Obtain Legal Possession of the Vessel
  • If the owner is known and willing, complete the owner consent form (for vessels on land).
  • If the vessel is in water or the owner's consent cannot be obtained, contact Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program or local Fisheries and Oceans Canada Regional Office for guidance.
  • If the owner is unknown, undertake diligent efforts to identify the owner, publish a 31-day public notice, and retain proof of publication. Contact a lawyer to formalize legal possession if necessary.
• Step 6: Complete Application Documentation
  • Obtain and review the Application Guide.
  • Collect all supporting documents, including proof of legal possession (notarized if required), vessel photographs, Canadian Coast Guard or Transport Canada assessments (if relevant), vessel assessment(s), project plan, budget plan, and additional vessel forms as needed.
• Step 7: Submit the Application
  • Ensure all application materials are complete, accurate, and comprehensive.
  • Send the finalized application and all supporting documentation to your appropriate regional Fisheries and Oceans Canada Small Craft Harbours office by the annual deadline of April 15.

• Annual application deadline for funding requests is April 15.
• Applicants may include an unlimited number of vessels in a single application, with reimbursement limits applying per vessel.
• The program allows funding for multi-year projects.
• In-kind contributions may be used toward the applicant’s share of eligible costs, but are not reimbursable.