Canadian Navigable Waters Act

Marginal note:Abandoned vessel

20 If any vessel or other thing is wrecked, sunk, partially sunk, lying ashore or grounded in any navigable water in Canada, the vessel, part of the vessel, its cargo or thing is deemed to be abandoned on the day that is two years from the day of the casualty. On or after that later day the Minister may, under the restrictions that the Minister considers appropriate, authorize any person to take possession of and remove the vessel, part of the vessel or thing for that person’s own benefit, on giving to the owner, if known, one month’s notice, or if the owner is unknown, public notice for the same period in a local newspaper published in or near to the location of the vessel or thing.