Bob Lingwood News

ConAgra Inc., the second largest U.S. food manufacturer, has agreed to sell American Commercial Lines LLC (ACL) its large U.S. inland barge fleet and operations. Financial terms of the deal, which ConAgra said was part of ongoing series of strategic divestments, were not announced. ACL will acquire 930 owned and chartered barges, nine chartered towboats and one dry dock, the companies said in a joint statement. The deal includes Peavey Barge Lines, Brown Water Towing Inc. and Superior Barge Lines, Inc. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval but is expected to be completed in the next 30 days, the companies said. Greg Heckman, president and CEO, ConAgra Trade Group, said, "Our decision to sell the barge company is a strategic one.

The Queen of Victoria has been sold to a private operator in the Dominican Republic, BC Ferries' president and CEO Bob Lingwood announced. A total of six bids were received for the 38-year-old ferry and evaluated during the public bid process. "We've accepted an offer of $550,000 Canadian for the Queen of Victoria, which has become surplus to our needs," said Lingwood. R & G Importadora & Exportadora, the new owner, is expected to take possession of the vessel by the end of the year. The Queen of Victoria was built at the Victoria Machinery Depot in 1962 and provided ferry service on BC Ferries' Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay route until 1998. Since then, the vessel has been used for storage at the corporation's Deas Dock refit complex in Richmond.

BC Ferries responded critically to a Union report on safety issued today. BC Ferries’ President and CEO Bob Lingwood responded by saying the report is inaccurate and creates an incorrect perception. The Corporation’s high safety standards are independently audited by Lloyd’s Register and are the result of highly competent, diligent and well-trained employees. The 28-page report was compiled by a committee struck by the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union. The report has been assessed by the Corporation as containing both inaccuracies and outdated information. In particular, the report inaccurately claims that safety issues are present with lifesaving equipment, hull integrity and navigational systems.

BC Ferries' management is being restructured, resulting in a $5 million annual savings and a 20 percent reduction in non-fleet management and administration positions, President and CEO Bob Lingwood announced. Lingwood was joined in the announcement by Gordon Wilson, minister responsible for the corporation, and Michael Francis, chair of the corporation's board of directors. "This downsizing and re-organization is a substantial move forward in our efforts to get the corporation's financial and management house in order," said Lingwood. "The executive is serious about improving the corporation's performance for our customers and the taxpayers. -The corporation will be reducing its year 2000/01 overhead and administrative costs by $5 million.

BC Ferries' management is being restructured, resulting in a $5 million annual savings and a 20 percent reduction in non-fleet management and administration positions, President and CEO Bob Lingwood announced. Lingwood was joined in the announcement by Gordon Wilson, minister responsible for the corporation, and Michael Francis, chair of the corporation's board of directors. "This downsizing and re-organization is a substantial move forward in our efforts to get the corporation's financial and management house in order," said Lingwood. "The executive is serious about improving the corporation's performance for our customers and the taxpayers. · The corporation will be reducing its year 2000/01 overhead and administrative costs by $5 million.

BC Ferries is putting the nearly 40-year-old Queen of Victoria up for sale on the open market, president and CEO Bob Lingwood announced. "Queen of Victoria is surplus to our operations, and there is a strong business case for putting this vessel up for sale," said Lingwood. BC Ferries is welcoming public bids on the vessel, with an asking price of $1 million, as is, where is. All reasonable bids will be considered. "Queen of Victoria has had a long and proud service with BC Ferries and I know BC Ferries' staff - particularly those who have served on Victoria - will retain fond memories of the vessel," Lingwood said. BC Ferries has sold two other surplus vessels in the past few years, including Saltspring Queen in 1996 and Vesuvius Queen in 1998.

A conventional ferry will replace one of the PacifiCats on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay route starting February 1 to allow the fast ferries to be phased in more gradually, BC Ferries' board chair Michael Francis and president Bob Lingwood announced. The BC Ferries' board of directors has reviewed the fast ferry implementation program, taking into account concerns of reliability, customer issues and financial considerations. As a result, the corporation's board approved a plan to bring these vessels into service more gradually. The PacifiCats' operational issues have lessened over the past few weeks; however, it is important the vessels demonstrate more reliability before they resume full service.

BC Ferries' second fast ferry, PacifiCat Discovery, was officially commissioned at a ceremony attended by Gordon Wilson, minister responsible for BC Ferries; Michael Francis, chair of BC Ferries' board of directors; and Bob Lingwood, president and CEO. The second PacifiCat delivers considerable cost savings and construction efficiencies compared with the first PacifiCat. Discovery was completed eight months faster and cost $10 million less than the first vessel. PacifiCat Discovery will begin scheduled service as the lead vessel out of Horseshoe Bay. At the same time, PacifiCat Explorer will enter dry dock for scheduled maintenance work. During the busy Christmas period, the two fast ferries and a conventional vessel will be in service on the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay route. On Jan.

A draft long-term plan for terminal improvements at Horseshoe Bay was presented by BC Ferries president & CEO Bob Lingwood at a public council meeting in West Vancouver. · A terminal maintenance facility beside Berth 3. "We've put a great deal of effort into addressing the concerns expressed by the community, while meeting the corporation's operating requirements at Horseshoe Bay," said Lingwood. "This plan represents a long-term solution to the lack of terminal space at Horseshoe Bay and the need for improved safety and traffic flow.

Effective Feb. 1, travellers using the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay route will be able to choose either a PacifiCat or a conventional vessel, BC Ferries' President and CEO Bob Lingwood said. The conventional vessel's return to the route will mean trucks, buses and longer recreational vehicles will once again be carried between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo. This service will be offered on a revised schedule for the rest of this calendar year during the gradual phase-in of the PacifiCats. In addition, assured loading tickets will again be accepted on this route effective March 15. Assured loading tickets on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay route were discontinued at the end of June in anticipation of fast-ferry-only service and expanded reservations…