While some derelict boats have voluntarily left the Gorge Waterway, the city says it hopes those owners remaining decide to follow suit – or they could be forced out.
Under a bylaw change, boat owners anchored in the waterway had until the end of October to ship out.
Six owners agreed to move their vessels voluntarily, and the city got rid of another boat that was underwater.
There are still 19 boats anchored, and the city said it hopes owners will agree to leave on their own.
“We’re still doing a lot of work with vessel owners trying to get them to cooperate and comply voluntarily,” said City of Victoria spokesman Chris Coates. “That certainly makes for an easier process and that’s our ultimate objective. If we can do that with as much voluntary compliance as possible, that’s the city’s preferred approach.”
If the owners don’t move their boats, the city said it would seek a B.C. Supreme Court injunction for the right to forcefully remove the vessels.
It said social housing options have been put in place for the boaters.
