THE SHIP THAT’S STILL CAUSING WAVES FOR OTTAWA

Not so easy to get rid of it, CBSA says

A derelict cargo ship that was used to smuggle nearly 500 Sri Lankan Tamil migrants to the West Coast in 2010 is still languishing at a federal dock in Delta, B.C., even though the government signalled two years ago it was headed for the scrap heap.

Some residents who live across the channel in a luxury subdivision say they aren’t bothered by the delay; they say the MV Sun Sea is a real conversation starter and potent reminder of the desperate measures some asylum-seekers will take. Others say the rusting ship is an eyesore and want it gone.

But getting rid of it in an environmentally safe manner isn’t so easy, say officials with the Canada Border Services Agency, the ship’s custodian. They were unable to say this past week how close they are to ridding themselves of the ship once and for all but did acknowledge they’ve had to spend more than $700,000 to store and maintain a vessel they don’t even want.

“This is a very unique situation and the CBSA and other federal partners are working diligently, in compliance with legal and environmental regulations, to dispose of the vessel as quickly as circumstances permit,” the agency said in an email.

The dilapidated vessel arrived on B.C.’s coast in August 2010 with 492 Tamil men, women and children on board. Many of the migrants were held in detention for several months or more as officials worked to sort out their stories.

In the aftermath, the former Conservative government introduced a number of controversial measures aimed at curbing so-called “irregular arrivals.” The RCMP also announced charges against several people for organizing the smuggling operation, but three were found not guilty last month and a mistrial was declared for a fourth.

Amid the raft of immigration and court proceedings, federal bureaucrats have wrestled with what to do with the MV Sun Sea.

For the first two years the ship was stored at the Nanaimo Shipyard. In summer 2012, it was towed to the Annacis Island industrial park southeast of Vancouver. At that point, the government had already spent about $400,000 to cover moorage and other costs.

Since then, it has spent more than $300,000, officials say.

In April 2013, the Federal Court authorized Ottawa to sell the vessel. But a broker appointed to oversee the sale couldn’t find any buyers.

By early 2015, CBSA had decided to chalk up its losses and just dispose of the ship. But the process was delayed because CBSA had to hire a company to remove potential environmental hazards and ensure the stability of the ship.

Last year, an inspection confirmed the ship was safe to tow through B.C. waters. A marine consultant also verified that the agency’s plans for dismantling the ship complied with regulations.

However, it is still not clear when those plans will be carried out. CBSA said Public Services and Procurement Canada is in charge of the tendering process. A spokesman for that agency said over the weekend options are still being reviewed.

“No decision has been made yet,” he said.

One challenge facing the government is that there are no ship recycling yards on the West Coast, said Wayne Elliott, founder of Marine Recycling Corp. in Port Colborne, Ont. One option, he said, would be to dismantle the ship at a dry dock in Vancouver or Victoria. Another would be to sink the vessel as an artificial reef.

One couple walking along the boardwalk of New Westminster’s Port Royal subdivision opposite Annacis Island said they are eager for the ship to be gone. The couple, who did not wish to be named, said they are moving in soon to one of the suites at The Peninsula, a resort-like highrise, and don’t wish to stare at the unattractive ship below.

Some people “don’t want to look at it because they say it’s such an ugly sight out there,” said Moira Bell, who is also moving in to the building and whose daughter lives in the neighbourhood.

But Bell counts herself among those who will actually miss the ship once it’s gone. She said she loves to stare at it because of what it represents — “the struggle for some people to find freedom.

“It’s a wonderful story and it’s historical and I only want the best for it.”

Kris Siegers, who was walking his dog along the boardwalk, agreed.

“I don’t see it as an eyesore, really. I see it from an emotional standpoint,” he said. “Whenever anyone comes and we go out for a walk, I always tell them the story of this boat.”

IT’S A WONDERFUL STORY AND IT’S HISTORICAL AND I ONLY WANT THE BEST FOR IT.