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Settlement reached in case of drone that was surveilling a Union Bay company


A court settlement has been reached between the company that’s been shipbreaking in Union Bay and the woman who has been keeping watch of its operations using a drone.

The settlement has resulted in an apology letter and financial compensation from the company.

For more than three years, Mary Reynolds has been flying her drone over the property of Deep Water Recovery in Union Bay.

She’s among those in the community concerned that the company’s activities are harming the environment, so she’s been recording the company’s activities and posting them online.

They’ve led to a provincial order for the company to stop polluting, administrative penalties and the cancellation of the company’s crown lease.

“Because they were able to use my drone footage as evidence to prove what they were doing. I have essentially been providing them with daily updates about what’s happening at this site,” said Reynolds.

In June of 2022, near the start of Reynold’s recordings, Jurisich took her drone as she was retrieving it after flying it over the property.

Reynolds laid a theft complaint with the RCMP.

Jurisich returned the drone, damaged, to Reynold’s house under the cover of darkness.

The crown didn’t approve a criminal charge, but Reynolds sued for damages.

The two parties managed to settle ahead of 14-day trial set to start in October.

“For less than a $1,000 drone, it cost them $210,000 because they didn’t want people to see what they’re doing,” said Reynolds.

As part of the settlement, Jurisich apologized in a letter saying he took the drone without her consent and damaged it in the process and that he shouldn’t have engaged with her.

“And that he shouldn’t have done it and that he won’t do anything like that again, so we’ll see,” said Reynolds.

In a statement, Jurisich says, “Deep Water Recovery Ltd. and Mr. Jurisich made the strategic decision to agree to settle with Ms. Reynolds rather than proceed with the expense of a trial. The settlement represents a compromise of disputed claims…”

“It cost them $210,000. I got an apology letter, and I’m still free to do what I was doing before, and I’m thrilled,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds says Deep Water Recovery is rebranding as Union Bay Industries, but she’s vowing to continue monitoring its activities.

Another lawsuit, by Deep Water Recovery, related to the publication of the drone’s recordings, was struck down by a BC Supreme Court Justice in April of 2024.