Dangerous eyesores they may be, but what if abandoned boats littering the Sunshine Coast’s waters were transformed into public artworks, drawing tourists instead of repelling them?

This is the vision of Gordon Halloran, a Roberts Creek artist who has the ear of local politicians and who is seeking funding to bring his concept to life.

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Halloran sees potential in some of the 25 derelict boats in Porpoise Bay, the dozen in the Pender Harbour region, as well as a cluster in West Howe Sound. He has spoken to local tourist organizations and has found support among directors from the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) as well as the mayor of Sechelt.

“I don’t think we can deal with all the boats on the west coast of Canada in this way, but I think it allows us some educational moments,” said Sechelt Mayor Bruce Milne.

While a specific artistic direction is still in the works, one option is to create a “Flotilla of Dazzle.” Repurposed boats would pay tribute to the ships of the First World War decked out in dazzle camouflage, a style of intersecting geometric shapes that turn ships into evasive targets. The freshly dazzled boats could reflect the country’s peacekeeping efforts, said Halloran.

He also sees potential in applying lighting to boats in Porpoise Bay, and in the case of larger vessels, making art spaces in their interiors. “Sometimes it’s the shape and form, sometimes it’s the way they have decayed, the colouring, the flaking off, the ephemeral nature of the boat. People can see it’s damaged but it also has a certain beauty to it,” he said.

Halloran’s vision extends far beyond the Coast – he wants to see vessels placed across Canada, such as in Toronto or the Ottawa canal, as well as internationally. In the meantime, he sees the Sunshine Coast as the project “laboratory.”

For Milne, the project could entice tourists to visit the Coast. “I really do think it would be a magnet for the international art community,” he said. “I’ve seen smaller projects than this take off.”

Frank Mauro, director for Pender Harbour/Egmont, supports the project as a preferred alternative to disposal. “I see Gordon’s vision as something to help deal with the problem we’ve accumulated so far,” he said, adding that public engagement will be a necessary component. “There’s going to be a process. I can’t just say, ‘Yeah, Gordon, let’s paint up some boats’… Everybody’s got to be on board with it.”

In early March, the federal government announced the District of Sechelt will receive $70,000 to assess 14 boats through its abandoned boats program, and the Pender Harbour Advisory Council received $10,000 from the same funding source. The deadline for a second round of funding was March 15. Applicants will be able to apply for a third round for assessing, removing and disposing of small boats from April 3 to March 31, 2019.

Milne is hopeful successful future grants would afford some spending flexibility. “If we can guarantee there’s no derelict boat at the end of the day, I don’t think they’d care if it’s in the landfill or if it’s a piece of art.” Halloran, Mauro and Milne also suggested arts funding and private sponsorships could offset costs. “I think there would be interest with private funding or maybe with Heritage Canada for some artistic top-up, depending on where the boats are going,” said Milne.

Halloran was Canada’s official representative at the Cultural Olympiad for the 2006 Olympics Winter Games in Turin, Italy. His local art includes Regeneration, a sculpture of charred cedar on display outside the Sechelt Visitor Centre. As for boat art, he said it’s the opportunity to take a creative approach to the problem that inspires him. “It can be a grind to keep at this when it’s in the beginning stages, to convince people it’s worthwhile, but that’s what it’s all about.”