The mayor of Shelburne is keeping her fingers crossed that some money in the federal budget to address derelict vessels is earmarked for the Farley Mowat.
The town has dealt with the rusting ship for almost two years and it’s costing the Port of Shelburne money every day.
The federal budget contains $1.5 billion for ocean protection, which includes a portion for some derelict vessels across Canada.
Mayor Karen Mattatall says she wants specifics.
“We’re certainly hoping to see the removal of the Farley Mowat from Shelburne Harbour as one of the priorities on that list.”
She says the federal government created the problem and only they can fix it.
The government originally seized the former Sea Shepard Society ship in 2008 after its captain and first officer were arrested and accused of interfering with the seal hunt.
It eventually ended up in Shelburne Harbour where it sank in June of 2015 and was refloated the following month.
“We have exhausted every legal option available to us. now it comes down to the federal government to step in and help us remove that boat.”
Mattatall says the port has had the responsibility of pumping the vessel out.
She said the court allowed the vessel’s owner to remove the engines by cutting out a section of the deck.
” It left it like a bucket that collects water.”
