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Pacific Pilotage Authority News

22 May 2017

Vancouver: Maritime’s New Home Address

Kaity Arsoniadis-Stein, Executive Director of the VIMC (Photo: VIMC)

The Vancouver International Maritime Centre (VIMC) is on a mission to grow the city and port into one of the world’s premiere maritime centers. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently spoke with Kaity Arsoniadis-Stein, Executive Director of the newly re-established VIMC, for her insights on the pace and direction of the initiative. Let’s start out easily. Why Vancouver? Why now? Why Vancouver? Projections and studies indicate that global trade will increase and shift to the Pacific due to the demand of resources by China and India.

15 Sep 2016

Port of Prince Rupert Adds Shore-based Radar

The Port of Prince Rupert has commissioned a new shore-based radar regime designed to safely accommodate the port’s growth in vessel traffic and international trade. Shore-based radar builds on the existing vessel traffic service that provides active vessel monitoring and navigational information to vessels at the Port of Prince Rupert. Transmitting data from three tower sites across the port’s coastal shores, the system provides coverage ranging from the northeast of Haida Gwaii to the Alaskan border. “The addition of radar improves the capability of the port to proactively monitor and manage vessel movement in the harbor,” said Don Krusel, President & CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

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.

17 Sep 2015

Port Monitors Impact of Ship Noise on Whales

Photo: Port Metro Vancouver

Underwater noise has been identified as a key threat to at-risk whales. In order to better understand and manage the impact of shipping activities on whales throughout the southern coast of British Columbia, a hydrophone listening station has been deployed by the Port Metro Vancouver, with support from the University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada and JASCO Applied Sciences, to monitor underwater vessel noise in the Strait of Georgia. The hydrophone listening station deployment and monitoring activities are part of the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program…

09 Jul 2015

PPA Canada Signs on Helm CONNECT

Today, software developer Helm Operations announced that it has signed Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) Canada to its Helm CONNECT Preventive Maintenance software. PPA operates five pilot boats and provides complete pilotage services for all ports on Canada’s west coast including Vancouver and those within the Fraser River. Ekkebus continues, touching on a core element of Helm software’s purpose. Ron deBruyne, CEO and Founder of Helm Operations is proud to have Helm CONNECT serve PPA and says. Helm CONNECT is designed to be intuitive in every way. Helm works closely with workboat personnel when building the product through direct consultation with real life users, like port engineers, crew and shore-based personnel.

13 Feb 2015

Kvichak Delivers 2 Boats to West Coast Launch

Photo: Capt. Doug Davis of West Coast Launch Ltd.

Kvichak Marine delivered two all-aluminum 36.6’ crew/pilot boats to West Coast Launch, Ltd. (WCL), which operates year-round as a water transportation company in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada. The new vessels, Lelu and Kitson, will join the five vessels already operating in the West Coast Launch fleet, as the company prepares for the growth of Prince Rupert and the demands for transportation with the LNG industry. Lelu and Kitson are powered by twin Volvo D11 diesel engines rated for 510 bhp and ZF 205 marine gears. The engines are coupled to Hamilton 322 waterjets providing a speed of 35 knots.

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.

11 Mar 2003

Workboats: The Fine Crafting of Aluminum Boats

British Columbian boat builders pioneered aluminum construction in the 1960s and '70s in the building of efficient commercial fishing boats. Aluminum won wide acceptance in BC for its low maintenance costs and durability. Since that time they have honed their skills in the craft of aluminum fabrication on a wide range of single and multi-hulled crew boats, yachts, ferries and pilot boats. Point Hope Shipyard in Victoria, earned recognition for their part in the fabrication of modules for the Incat designed fast ferry project where weight and strength were important criteria. Now, utilizing workers who have come out of this tradition, Point Hope Shipyard in Victoria, BC are building to a highly evolved pilot boat design.