A type of floating home made from container ships is drawing the ire of some local residents in Muskoka, Ont. Because it’s designated a “vessel” by Transport Canada, there's little local governments can do to regulate it.
Joe Nimens' floating home, made of two shipping containers, pictured at Severn marina. Nimens started building it two years ago as a prototype.
Nimens says construction began a little more than two years ago, and he moved in shortly after. He pulled the structure onto the water for the first time about 18 months ago. They're also different from other floating homes that are permanently moored to a marina and attached to a septic system and other utilities.
Nimen's floating cottage has spuds, large steel posts that drop down and anchor it to the lake bottom when it's out on the water. As a vessel, it's allowed to anchor on Crown land free for up to 21 days. "We believe that they should be subject to … all the bylaws of the local community, subject to the local property taxes that we're going to pay for the emergency services that they may require."Over in the Township of Severn, Mayor Mike Burkett shares that view.
Cheryl Elliot-Fraser, president of the Gloucester Pool Cottagers Association, pictured across the way from Nimens's floating home. "The fact that these units are not navigable … they're not very stable in any kind of wind or wave action is a concern," said Rupert Kindersley, a spokesperson with the association.
The agency confirmed Nimens's structure meets its "vessel" definition and that officials from the department have inspected it after concerns were raised by locals. It said because it's a recreational vessel it doesn't require formal approval from Transport Canada; however, it stated that it is the responsibility of the owner to make sure the vessel meets all applicable regulatory requirements.
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