It appears HMCS Annapolis will be sunk after all.
The Federal Court has ruled the permit to sink the ship issued by Environment Canada in Oct. 2014 will stand.
In January, the Save Halkett Bay Marine Park Society filed court documents seeking an injunction to stop the plan to sink the 1960s former helicopter-carrying destroyer, resulting in a Federal Court judge granting a temporary stay.
That injunction has now been lifted.
The Save Halkett Bay Marine Park Society alleged the ship’s paint contains highly toxic compounds, and the sinking would pose an environmental threat.
The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia originally planned the sinking for Jan.17. The ship was supposed to become an artificial reef for local scuba divers to enjoy.
“We are thrilled with the outcome and we look forward to completing the project,” director of the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia Rick Wall posted in an update on the society’s website on Thursday.
Gary MacDonald with The Save Halkett Bay Marine Park Society says they won’t appeal the Federal Court decision.
“We’re still extremely concerned about the paint,” MacDonald told Global News. “We’re puzzled about why the court wouldn’t have ruled conservatively in favor of human and environmental health.”
The new date for the sinking of HMCS Annapolis has yet to be announced.
WATCH: An old Canadian warship is preparing for its final voyage. Reporter Jeremy Hunka gets to tour the HMCS Annapolis.
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