On June 29, 2023, in Ottawa, Ontario, the Government of Canada expressed its commitment to ensuring clean and secure waterways and emphasized the importance of effectively responding to marine dangers. Vessels that are abandoned, wrecked, or pose a hazard can endanger marine ecosystems, local communities, and economies. In response, the Canadian Coast Guard is taking proactive measures across the nation by employing innovative technology.
Recently, the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, revealed that the Canadian Coast Guard has procured BRNKL Rapid Deploy units from Barnacle Systems Inc. In collaboration with Innovative Solutions Canada, a total of 39 remote monitoring devices will be installed on hazardous vessels throughout the country.
“The Government of Canada is taking action to eliminate abandoned vessels from our waters. By investing in new technologies, we enhance the Canadian Coast Guard’s capacity to monitor, manage, and address marine risks, leading to greater protection of waterways today and for the future,” explained the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard.
These Canadian-made devices are placed on problematic vessels and enable the Canadian Coast Guard to remotely monitor them. The devices promptly alert the Coast Guard if a vessel shows signs of sinking or is impacted by adverse weather conditions, among other events. By providing near real-time updates and alerts, the device empowers the Canadian Coast Guard to swiftly dispatch marine environmental and hazard response teams to critical areas.
To date, more than 2,000 wrecked, abandoned, or hazardous vessels have been reported in Canada. To combat this issue and prevent the emergence of new incidents, the Government of Canada implemented the Oceans Protection Plan, which outlines a national strategy. Since 2016, the Plan has funded nearly 500 initiatives aimed at removing and disposing of abandoned boats across the country.