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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The threat of a large fine has led to a desperate plea for mercy from a marooned houseboat owner.

Andrew Robinson's boat sits on the Giant Mine dock, where it has been undergoing urgent repairs for more than two weeks. - Myles Dolphin/NNSL photo

Andrew Robinson's boat is currently propped up on stilts at the Giant Mine dock, adjacent to the Great Slave Cruising Club.

The dock lies on city property and as a result of complaints by angry boat owners, municipal bylaw 4564 was invoked against Robinson.

"While in a public or recreation facility no person shall interfere with the exclusive use of any area of the public park or recreation facility granted to another person of group," clause 12 of the bylaw reads.

"Any person who is guilty of an offence is liable upon summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 for an individual."

Using a whiteboard, Robinson posted a makeshift sign outside his boat, addressing anyone who may be inconvenienced by his presence, which has now exceeded two weeks.

"Boat needs urgent repairs," it says. "All was fixed in two weeks but we found a new hole that needs patching ASAP. The city is proposing a fine of $2,000 per day."

Robinson declined to rock the boat when contacted, saying the sign "is pretty self-explanatory."

He was issued a ticket for $2,000 on "Thursday or Friday," according to Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

Van Tighem said that Robinson's presence on city land meant that he would have to pay rent in order to stay there, or risk facing a fine.

"We had a large number of complaints from people trying to launch their boats and then park them," he said.

"Two years ago the diamond mines parked fuel drums in the parking lot but they paid rent: they were using public space."

He added that the maximum fine cannot exceed $2,000, unlike Robinson's claim that he is being fined $2,000 a day. Just like a parking ticket Robinson has a period of time to pay it, although Van Tighem was not aware what it is.

"Had he taken the appropriate steps, such as ask the city where to put his boat, we would have suggested an alternative spot," he said. "He chose not to do that, hence the fine."

Other problems related to the area are jurisdictional, because water is regulated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. For the time being, Robinson's boat rests on stilts that are not unlike proverbial crutches, a sign that his situation has now reached a critical stage.

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