Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound 

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⚓ Dry Docks vs. Beaching: The Right Way to Retire Ships Over 500GT 🌊

Ship recycling is a necessary process, but how we do it can mean the difference between environmental disaster and sustainable industry. When it comes to dismantling vessels over 500 gross tonnage (GT), two primary methods are used:

🔵 Dry Dock Recycling – The Safe & Sustainable Choice

❌ Beaching – The Unregulated Environmental Hazard

🏗️ What is Dry Dock Recycling? (✅ Best Practice)

Dry dock or pier-side dismantling is a controlled method where ships are brought to a designated facility with proper waste management and pollution controls.

✔️ Contained & Regulated – Hazardous materials like oil, asbestos, and heavy metals are handled safely.

✔️ Minimal Environmental Impact – No contamination of coastal waters or marine ecosystems.

✔️ Worker Safety – Complies with international safety standards, reducing risks of injury and toxic exposure.

✔️ Legal & Responsible – Compliant with IMO’s Hong Kong Convention and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation.

🏖️ What is Beaching? (❌ High Risk)

Beaching is the unregulated practice of running ships aground on tidal shores before cutting them apart. Most common in South Asia, this method is used without proper waste containment, leading to severe environmental and human health hazards.

❌ Oil, asbestos, and toxic metals leak into marine ecosystems

❌ Pollutes beaches, endangering wildlife and fisheries

❌ Workers face deadly conditions with no protective measures

❌ Often involves illegal labor & human rights violations

⚠️ Why It Matters

Ships over 500GT contain tons of hazardous materials that, when improperly dismantled, poison oceans, beaches, and local communities. The IMO’s Hong Kong Convention and the EU’s Ship Recycling Regulation aim to phase out dangerous beaching practices, but many ships still end up in unregulated yards.

🌍 What Can We Do?

✅ Support Responsible Ship Recycling – Push for certified dry-dock facilities.

✅ Demand Stronger Regulations – Canadian Governments must enforce bans on beaching.

✅ Hold Shipping Companies Accountable – Insist that they follow ethical recycling practices and eliminate recycling in shallow ports

💬 The future of our oceans depends on sustainable choices. Share this post & spread awareness! Let BC know that drydocks are necessary for all shipbreaking facilities in BC not just Esquimalt! Shipbreaking belongs in deep-water, heavy industrial ports!

🌊⚓#SustainableShipping#StopBeaching#ShipRecycling#protectouroceans#drydock#coastalmarinestrategy#CleanBC#lead#asbestos#Antifouling#MarineInsight#CDNshipbuilders#seaspan

Fisheries and Oceans CanadaEnvironment and Climate ChangeSeaspan CorporationJosie OsborneDavid EbyComox Valley Regional District – Local GovernmentTransport CanadaEsquimalt Political Discussion GroupParks CanadaBC NDPConservative Party of BCBC Green PartyK’ómoks First NationWHERE SHIPS GO TO DIEShip Breaking NewsNGO Shipbreaking PlatformFederation of Canadian Municipalities