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Bc Coast News

11 Jan 2021

Seaspan Cavalier Repower: Long Life, Big Hours

(Photo: Alan Haig-Brown)

“We got 59,115 hours on those engines, without ever removing a head,” says Seaspan International’s Port Engineer Kevin Tweedy, “And they were still running. So, at 5,000 to 5,500 hours per year, we could easily have done 60,000 hours.”But the company schedule worked to do a like-for-like repower. The pair of 850-horsepower Tier 1 Cummins KTA38 diesels were pulled out, and a brand-new set of 850-horsepower Tier 2 KTA38s went in.The Seaspan Cavalier was built in 1974, along with three sister ships.

17 Aug 2020

North Arm Transport: Innovation in Towing

The hefty bow, characteristic of a McIlwain design

Founded in 1958 as an extension of the Stradiotti family businesses, North Arm Transportation has grown to be a significant fuel company on the BC coast. Over the years, the company fleet has expanded and evolved. With tugs in a range of size and power, as well as cargo and fuel barges, the company services the coast out of its headquarters in Vancouver on the North Arm of the Fraser River. They also have facilities on Mitchell Island in the Fraser and at Masset on Haida Gwaii.

13 Aug 2019

Cruise Ships Dump 90% of Grey Water in BC

1.54 billion liters of grey water were generated by ships off the British Columbia coast in 2017 - the equivalent of more than 600 Olympic-size swimming pools, said a study.World Wildlife Fund Canada says cruise ships traveling between Washington state and Alaska are responsible for dumping "the vast majority" of the potentially toxic grey water that ends up off the B.C. coast each year.Cruise ships accounted for 1.37 billion (almost 90%) of the 1.54 billion liters of grey water generated off the B.C. coast in 2017, the study revealed.Grey water — the drainage from dishwater, galley sinks, and showers — may contain contaminants ranging from grease, oil and flame retardants to disinfectants, fecal coliform and micro-plastics, among other substances.

05 Jul 2019

Woodfibre LNG Gets BC OGC Permit

Woodfibre LNG, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility planned for Howe Sound on the southern B.C. coast,  has received its facility permit from the British Columbia (BC) Oil and Gas Commission (OGC).“Following a rigorous process, Woodfibre LNG has received our Facility Permit issued from the BC OGC, one of the key permits required for construction and operation of the project. This is a positive step forward as we work to build the cleanest LNG export facility in the world," said Woodfibre LNG president David Keane.“This permit specifies requirements the project must comply with for design, construction and operation of the Woodfibre LNG Project…

20 Dec 2018

ExxonMobil Drops USD 25 bln Canadian LNG Project

U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil Corp. has withdrawn its environmental assessment application for a $25-billion LNG export facility on the B.C. coast it proposed in 2015. No reasons given for withdrawing from environmental review process.“After careful review, ExxonMobil Canada and Imperial Oil Resources have withdrawn the WCC LNG project from the B.C. Environmental Assessment process,” a notice on WCC LNG website says. It also says that its websie will only be available until the end of 2018.WCC LNG is a proposed project to develop and operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility at Tuck Inlet in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.According to a Reuters report…

03 Oct 2018

ITB Christens New Tug Island Raider

(Photo: ITB)

Island Raider, the newest articulating tug in Island Tug and Barge’s (ITB) fleet, was christened September 28, during an afternoon ceremony at ITB’s headquarters in Burnaby, B.C.The new vessel is first of two in a series built by on-site at ITB’s Annacis Island facility along the Fraser River. The Island Raider, along with its sister the Island Regent (delivery February, 2019), was designed by renown Robert Allan Limited naval architects and marine engineers of Vancouver, B.C. to be paired with ITB’s double-hulled oil tank barge, the ITB Resolution, as an articulated tug and barge (ATB).

31 Jan 2018

Uzmar to Build Escort Tug for Saam Smit Canada

(Image: Robert Allan Ltd.)

Turkish shipbuilder Uzmar Shipyard has inked a deal with Saam Smit Canada Inc. (SST Canada), a joint venture partnership between Boskalis of the Netherlands and Saam S.A of Chile, for the construction of a new escort tug for operations in British Columbia, Canada. Designer Robert Allan Ltd. said the state-of-the-art RAstar 3200-W tug will be capable of safely performing all ship-handling roles, including berthing, unberthing and escort duties, including in heavier weather conditions.

11 May 2017

Robert Allan Ltd.: The Place that Launched 1,000 Tugs

figure 7

Over the last few years, as the design output from Robert Allan Ltd. to the global tugboat community began to border on the prodigious, we were often asked, “How many tugs has your company designed?” Until very recently we really did not have a good handle on that number, so the answer was usually either “a lot” or “many hundreds”, neither of which were particularly illuminating. So a search was begun late in 2016 to review our archives and try to determine the tug tally much more precisely. Would we rival Helen? Where did it all begin?

30 Mar 2016

Port of Prince Rupert Adds Navigation Systems

The Port of Prince Rupert, in collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), as well as input from the Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) and BC Coast Pilots (BCCP), has established another aid to navigation with advanced technology capabilities at the mouth of Prince Rupert’s Fairview Channel. Prince Rupert’s shore-based radar project also progressed toward completion with the arrival of several metric tons of technical equipment last week. Over the past five years the Port of Prince Rupert has invested millions of dollars in capital to assess risk, streamline practices and procedures, and create a marine safety regime rivaling the world’s largest ports.

21 Feb 2016

VIMC Recognized in B.C. Budget, Exe. Dir. Christens Vessel

The Vancouver International Maritime Centre (VIMC) welcomes the Provincial government’s $1-million commitment for the second year in a row. B.C. The VIMC’s mandate is to encourage global shipping companies to move their operations to Vancouver, bringing high-paid, high-value jobs with them. The city is well-positioned to create the first maritime hub on the west coast of North America, offering competitive tax rates and access to the Asia Pacific Gateway. Last fall, Singapore-based AAL opened an office in Vancouver, with the support of the VMIC. Yesterday, VIMC Executive Director Kaity Arsoniadis-Stein, along with Jewel Jacobs of the Squamish First Nation, were given the honour of officially christening the SST Capilano. The new tug was named after historical leader, Chief Joe Capilano.

13 Nov 2015

Canada to Ban Oil Tankers on Northern BC Coast

Photo: Transport Canada

Canada will push ahead with a moratorium on oil tanker traffic along the northern coast of British Columbia, effectively slamming the door on a controversial pipeline project that was already facing massive development hurdles. In a letter released on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instructed Transport Minister Marc Garneau to work with numerous other ministries to "formalize" the ban on oil tanker traffic, a Liberal campaign promise ahead of the federal elections last month.

08 Apr 2015

Robert Allan Ltd. Named CIMarE Charter Member

Robert Allan Ltd. announced its election as the Charter Corporate Member of the Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering (CIMarE) Roll number 0001. CIMarE national council created the corporate membership class in an effort to further engage corporations, organizations, societies and professional associations in support of the activities of the organization. CIMarE was incorporated by federal charter in 1976 to promote the maritime industry and its associated professions. Over the years…

19 Jan 2015

Kvichak Delivers Two Vessels to Tymac

Photo courtesy of Kvichak Marine

Kvichak Marine delivered two all-aluminum 36.6’ Crew / Pilot Boats to Tymac Launch Service, Ltd. of British Columbia, Canada. The vessels were designed by Kvichak for the specific use of transporting 12 or fewer passengers for BC coast pilots, government officials, ships agents and surveyors, longshoremen, repair crews etc. The areas of operations include Vancouver Harbor, Indian Arm, Howe Sound, the Fraser River and Southern Gulf of Georgia Strait. Powered by twin John Deere 6090SFM85 diesel engines rated for 425 bhp and ZF 305-3 marine gears.

18 Jun 2014

BC Shippers Welcomes Northern Gateway Approval

The Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia today welcomed the federal government's decision to approve the Northern Gateway Pipeline. Chamber President Captain Stephen Brown said the decision confirms the conclusion of the work undertaken by the Joint Review Panel that Northern Gateway is in the country's national interest and can be operated safely on land and on water. "The technology enhancements driving today's marine industry including mandatory double-hulled tanker construction provide an unprecedented level of protection for B.C.'s coast," said Brown. "It should also be appreciated that the marine industry is governed by strict international and Canadian regulations detailing every aspect of operational safety and preparedness.

18 Jun 2014

Northern Gateway Pipeline Approved by Canada

The Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia says it welcomes the federal government's decision to approve the Northern Gateway Pipeline. The 1,177-km (731 miles) pipeline project, is expected to transport 525,000 barrels of Alberta oil a day to Asia-bound tankers. Chamber President Captain Stephen Brown said the decision confirms the conclusion of the work undertaken by the Joint Review Panel that Northern Gateway is in the country's national interest and can be operated safely on land and on water. "The technology enhancements driving today's marine industry including mandatory double-hulled tanker construction provide an unprecedented level of protection for B.C.'s coast," said Brown.

13 Mar 2014

Floating hotel draws workers to NW Canada boom town

Hundreds of construction workers in booming northern British Columbia will take up residence this week in unique digs on board a cruise ferry revamped into a floating luxury hotel. The aging ship will help relieve a housing shortage in one busy Canadian port town already bursting ahead of a promised energy boom that could last more than a decade. The Silja Festival - a Baltic ferry made over as the Delta Spirit Lodge - will spend at least a year docked outside Kitimat, British Columbia, where it will provide housing for about 600 workers in town for Rio Tinto Alcan's $3.3 billion smelter-upgrade project, which is expected to wrap up in 2015.

15 Oct 2013

Canada Conducts Spill Response Study

Photo: Ministry of Environment Communications

A comprehensive study assessing current marine-spill preparedness and response capabilities was released by the Province today. The study also outlines necessary improvements to achieve a world-class system to ensure B.C.'s coast is protected from potential marine spills. Nuka Research, an international expert in spill preparedness and response, had been commissioned by the provincial government to undertake the study so B.C. could better understand the federal government's ability to deal with a spill off the west coast.

11 Oct 2013

Marine Oil Spill: Canadian Province Releases New Preventive Study

Ocean photo in public domain

A comprehensive study assessing current marine-spill preparedness & response capabilities has been released by British Columbia. The study also outlines necessary improvements to achieve a world-class system to ensure B.C.'s coast is protected from potential marine spills. Nuka Research, an international expert in spill preparedness and response, had been commissioned by the provincial government to undertake the study so B.C. could better understand the federal government's ability to deal with a spill off the west coast.

29 Jul 2013

A Running Take-Out for Seaspan Cutlass

Photo: Haig-Brown/Cummins

A steel boat can continue to serve for many years if properly maintained. Seaspan Marine is the largest towing company on the British Columbia coast. Utilizing the services of their sister companies Vancouver Drydock, Vancouver Shipyard and Victoria Shipyards, they do much of their own repair and maintenance work. The upgrade and maintenance of the 25.24 by 7.56-meter (82.8 x 24.8) Seaspan Cutlass was done at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyard, which was the yard that built the tug and her sisters, including the Seaspan Cavalier in 1975. Both tugs have received similar upgrades.

28 May 2013

Canadian Tugboat Industry Conference Judged a Success

The 20th BC Tugboat Industry Conference was held May 23-25, 2013 in Victoria, BC. According to BC Shipping News, in addition to a retrospective of the industry – including presentations from Allan Fowlis (retired, Seaspan) who gave personal insights into the industry in its characters, and Leo Stradiotti (North Arm Transportation) who presented a pictoral of BC tugs from old to new – speakers such as Robert G.Allan (Robert Allan Ltd.), Fred Denning (BC Coast Pilots Ltd.), Malcolm McLaren (Allied Shipbuilders) and Frans Tjallingii (SMIT Marine Canada) each provided a unique perspective on aspects of the industry from technological developments to the relationship to pilots to towage and salvage in the international arena.

26 Feb 2013

Proposed Canadian LNG Export Terminal Gets License

Kitimat BC: Photo credit Wiki CC2 Sam Beebe / Ecotrust

The federal government approves a 25-year export licence for shipping LNG from Kitimat, a West Coast terminal proposed by a Shell consortium . The licence awarded to LNG Canada, a consortium of Shell, Korea Gas Corp., Mitsubishi Corp., and PetroChina International, will allow the export of up to 24 million tonnes of LNG per year, the largest of three export licences awarded to date, according to The Canadian Press. The LNG Canada terminal is one of five proposed for the B.C. coast, and the project has yet to undergo an environmental assessment. Plans to make the B.C.

19 Oct 2012

Seaspan Breaks Ground on $200m Shipyard Modernization Project

A groundbreaking ceremony today at Vancouver Shipyards, in North Vancouver marks a significant milestone in the re-development of the shipyard into a world-class facility that will build a new generation of vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy. Construction will result in the completion of four new fabrication buildings, a shipbuilding gantry crane and a load-out pier. Seaspan will invest approximately $200 million into the yard to deliver outstanding value to the Federal Government and efficiently build the new Non-Combat ships.

19 Nov 2012

Heavy Lift Ship Tests Port Rupert Pilots

Arrival HHL Macao: Photo credit Port Rupert Authority

Prince Rupert Port Authority, BC, saw the safe arrival of equipment integral to its coal export operations aboard 'HHL Macao'. The stacker/reclaimer unit, for delivery to Ridley Terminals Inc. is considered important for the planned expansion of coal export operations. The successful arrival of the vessel and subsequent movement of the stacker/reclaimer components required a wide-ranging team effort. The Prince Rupert Port Authority collaborated with ship's agent Peter Riley of G.W.