Abandoned Lithuanian-registered fishing vessels to be removed from Bay Roberts, N.L. wharf

Two former Lithuanian-registered fishing vessels abandoned at the wharf in Bay Roberts, N.L. in 2002 will be removed and disposed off, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced Monday.

In October 2002 the FV Sekme and the FV Treimani were abandoned by their crews. A number of arrest warrants against the vessels were issued by the Federal Court of Canada for unpaid wages and unpaid fuel costs.

In 2006, the vessels were seized and forfeited to the Crown under the Fishing and Recreational Harbours Act to permit the removal or disposal of the vessels by a contractor selected through a procurement process.

Avalon MP Fabian Manning, on behalf of federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn, released details of a contract valued at $1.6 million to remove the vessels.

“This action will eliminate any future potential environmental or safety hazards and free up valuable space at the wharf,” Manning said.

Over the past several years, DFO has put its efforts into securing the vessels, removing hazardous material and preparing them for disposal.

A request for proposals to remove and dispose of these vessels was coordinated by Public Works and Government Services Canada. Since 2003, the Canadian Coast Guard and Small Craft Harbours have been monitoring these vessels and taking necessary corrective measures to ensure that they remained safely berthed at the wharf in Bay Roberts.

The contract for the removal of the vessels has been awarded to Marine Recycling Corp. of Port Colborne, Ont. The vessels will be towed to the company’s facility at Port Colborne for removal of any remaining hazardous material, ship breaking and recycling.

A recent inspection determined the vessels could be safely towed.

(FROM THE TELEGRAM)