$75K fine goes to Federal Court after owner of deteriorating B.C. vessel fails to pay

VANCOUVER — The Defence Department says a $75,000 fine issued to the owner of a deteriorating vessel on the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C., will be registered with Federal Court after the owner failed to pay or request a review of the decision.

A statement from the department says the Canadian Coast Guard issued the fine to the owner of the MV Breeze in April 2026, requiring payment within 30 days.

The owner also had the option to apply for a review hearing with the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada by May 2.

But the department says the tribunal confirmed last month that the owner of the 27-metre wooden tug hadn’t taken action.

It says the fine had followed the owner’s failure to comply with a direction issued under the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act.

The department says the certificate debt would go to Federal Court for “future recovery.”

Wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels can pose threats to the environment, local communities, and economies, it adds.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2026.

The Canadian Press