Editor:
I am sure Bryan Livingstone is right when he says that boats that are in use and regularly tended are not derelicts (Dogpatch an asset, Chronicle, June 2). But I think he would have to agree that many boats in our harbour are one step from being derelict.
There is nothing to prevent the owners leaving the boats floating in the harbour when they no longer want them. Sometimes these boats are left with fuel on board that will foul our waters when they eventually sink.
The owners may be legally responsible for the boats, but this is meaningless if we don’t know who the owners are.
Mr. Livingstone tells us that Transport Canada is responsible for derelicts. If it is so clear cut, why are we having a problem with derelicts? Isn’t the problem the usual one of one department passing the buck to another department, none of them willing to accept responsibility?
Ken Hiebert, Ladysmith
