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CBC

Vancouver Island ship dismantling company has water access revoked

A shipbreaking company in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island has just had its access to the ocean shut down. The provincial government has cancelled the crown lease of Deep Water Recovery, a company that takes apart derelict vessels in Union Bay, south of Comox. The province said in a statement that the move is to "protect the public interest." "Deep Water Recovery has not demonstrated the level of regulatory compliance, operational responsibility, or environmental stewardship required to justify entrusting them with the use of Crown land to enable management and dismantling of end-of-life vessels," said the statement. The company has faced scrutiny and controversy in the past after receiving a stop-pollution order for allowing toxic effluent runoff into the surrounding marine environment. Daniel Arbour, Comox Valley Regional District Director, says he was surprised and relieved by the decision. "This is an issue that has been going on for quite a few years, and it was incredible to see this kind of decisive action from the province," said Arbour. The district is also attempting to stop the company operating in Union Bay, saying it was contravening bylaws by dismantling barges at the site. Arbour says while the company owns the land it operates on, losing access to the water is a step in the right direction. "To see the province step in on the water is definitely very consequential, I think for the long-term prospects of the company." Arbour said that while shipbreaking needs to happen, it should be done in a safe and responsible way, adding that Canadian regulations around shipbreaking are weak and should be stricter. Concerned citizens celebrate Residents who have been monitoring the company had formed a group, the Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound. President Ian Munro told Chek News members of the group feel vindicated given the action that's been taken. "It's a big step, you know, that we have the government saying this can no longer continue," he said.