Sorry, not trying to make light of the situation. Bottom line is this situation will only get worse as long as there is no enforcement of the licensing or registering of vessels. It costs a lot of money to properly dispose of a vessel so for those with no conscience, it's cheaper to simply abandon the vessel and let someone else pick up the tab, or simply give it away
I often wonder when I hear about these eccentric folks who have a fleet of ex commercial vessels. What if they were cleaver enough to say to the former owner " hey, it'll cost you hundreds of thousands to scrap that vessel, sign it over to me, give me cash under the table and I'll take it off your hands".
Then there are also the boat squatters who confuse the right to anchorage with the right to moorage. Not the same of course, but if there is no enforcement, might as well be.
My original point was that the Provincial government collects 12% every time a vessel legally changes hands, throughout its entire life. This money should be used to handle what should be, in rare cases, the disposal of a vessel whose owner cannot be found and be held liable.
All it takes is for government to get off its butt and treat boats like motor vehicles. Can't live in your car on a public highway. Can't abandon your car on the side of the road. Can't be caught driving without valid ownership papers. Can't drive without insurance. So why is this so different? Because no level of government wants to take ownership!