Abandoned Boat at Hanlan's Point Raises Questions

 An abandoned boat at Hanlan's Point beach has visitors and online communities puzzled by the unusual sight.

Toronto, ON — For the past month (EDIT: Since at least Nov. 26), there has been an abandoned boat at Hanlan's Point, beached and lopsided near the shoreline. The boat, identified as a lobster boat converted into a pleasure craft, appears to have originated from Nova Scotia, as indicated by its visible registration numbers. Despite its forlorn state, the craft shows no signs of vandalism or forced entry, and its anchor remains down.

The mystery surrounding the vessel has drawn the attention of local residents, boaters, and authorities. Efforts to trace the boat’s history have so far been inconclusive. While the registration numbers confirm its origins in Nova Scotia, they do not appear in the Canadian Coast Guard’s database, nor is the vessel listed as stolen.

The boat’s condition suggests it was intentionally anchored but later drifted to its current position, where it remains partially beached and leaning to one side.

What to Do if You Find a Wrecked or Abandoned Boat in Ontario

Under Ontario law, anyone discovering a wrecked or abandoned boat must follow specific protocols. The Canada Shipping Act, 2001 outlines the responsibilities for reporting and dealing with such situations:

1. Report to Authorities: Any wrecked or abandoned vessel should be reported to the local law enforcement agency, the Canadian Coast Guard, or Transport Canada.

2. Avoid Tampering: Members of the public are advised not to disturb the boat or its contents. Interfering with a wreck could have legal consequences.

3. Ownership and Claims: If the vessel is identified as a "wreck" under the Act, the receiver of wrecks will attempt to contact the rightful owner. If the owner cannot be located, the finder may apply for ownership after a waiting period.

   
   

Failure to comply with these rules can result in fines or other legal penalties.

Community Impact and Next Steps

While some view it as a nautical oddity, others worry about the environmental and navigational risks posed by such vessels.

We urge anyone with information about the boat or its owner to come forward.

For now, the mystery of the abandoned lobster boat remains unsolved, serving as a reminder of the complexities of maritime law and the enduring allure of the sea.

More to come as we follow this story.

UPDATE: The boat may have originated at Marine Quay West and was repossessed by the bank.

UPDATE: Removal of oil and gas is set on Jan. 8. The owners are aware and it was placed there after a storm.

UPDATE: The Owners have until Jan. 15th to remove the vessel or will face fines.

UPDATE: The boat has been removed.

An abandoned boat rests on the sand at Hanlan’s Point Beach, with the city skyline visible in the background under a cloudy sky.

Approximate location of an abandoned boat at Hanlan's Point