No. P06/06
For release June 30, 2006

NEW BOATING RESTRICTION
REGULATION ON ANCHORING IN FALSE CREEK

The City of Vancouver’s new False Creek anchoring permit system will go into effect on August 1st. The City of Vancouver and Transport Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to implement the new boating restriction on anchoring in False Creek. Over the next 30 days the City will be implementing, and distributing information, on the anchoring permit system. The new system is designed to improve access for boaters in Vancouver’s False Creek. Boaters will be required to obtain a free permit to anchor in False Creek anytime overnight (11 p.m. to 9 a.m.) or for anchoring more than eight hours during the day (9 a.m. to 11 p.m.). The federal government’s Boating Restriction Regulations, under the Canada Shipping Act, have been amended to allow for the City’s new anchoring permit system.

False Creek is a very popular boating area for many different activities including dragon boating, canoeing, kayaking, public ferries, charter ships, and visiting pleasure boats. This new anchoring system will allow the City to manage anchoring in False Creek to facilitate these activities, improve boater safety, and encourage turnover so that all boaters who wish to enjoy the Creek may do so.

With the free permit, boaters will be able to anchor for up to 14 days (during a 30-day period) from April 1 to September 30, and for up to 21 days (during a 40-day period) from October 1 to March 31. The time period is designed to allow boaters some flexibility to come and go during their visit to Vancouver. Boaters wishing to stay longer than the allowable time frame can contact the Vancouver Boating Welcome Centre for assistance in finding temporary moorage space at a local marina.

The City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Boating Welcome Centre will administer the new boating restriction on anchoring on behalf of Transport Canada. Anchoring permits will be available free of charge at the Vancouver Boating Welcome Centre in False Creek, which is located at the dock of the False Creek Yacht Club, on the north shore of False Creek, just under the Granville Bridge. Boaters will also be able to self-register at the Stamps Landing dock in False Creek, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Boating Welcome Centre is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer, and from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the winter. The centre can be reached in person, by phone at 604-648-BOAT (2628), toll-free 866-677-BOAT (2628), or on VHF channel 66. Boaters are encouraged to contact the Welcome Centre prior to their arrival in False Creek to initiate the permit application process. Boats without proper anchoring permits will be subject to ticketing and fines up to $500.

The Welcome Centre can also provide the following services to boaters:

• slip reservations in area marinas
  
• local tourism information
  
• pump-out facilities
  
• garbage, shower, laundry and washroom access.

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  Media enquiries:	Taryn Scollard, City of Vancouver, 604-871-6680
  	Rod Nelson, Transport Canada, 604-666-1675

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.

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