BC Ferries Captain Awarded Medal
Captain Mike Carter has been honoured with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for contribution to Canada's ferry industry. The award was presented by Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Honourable Judith Guichon. Captain Carter has been involved in Canada’s ferry industry since 1966 and has served in various capacities within BC Ferries including Senior Master and Executive Vice-President before retiring in 2010. He was also involved in the Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA) for over a decade, serving as President of the Association from 1995 to 1997. “Captain Carter’s remarkable contribution to Canada’s ferry industry deserves this recognition,” said Serge Buy, CEO of CFOA.
BC Ferries Completes Investigation
BC Ferries has completed an internal investigation into the April 3 incident, in which unusually strong northwest winds caused Queen of Cowichan to break from its mooring lines at Departure Bay and drift on to an adjacent dock. Queen of Cowichan, which was moored at the outside terminal berth, broke its mooring lines at about 3:30 a.m., twisted free of the dock and went adrift, resulting in minor damage to the berth and an adjacent dock, and virtually no damage to the vessel. Queen of Coquitlam, which was moored at the inside terminal berth, also broke its stern mooring lines in the high winds, but remained secured by bow mooring lines and between protective wooden piles on either side of the vessel.
Trimaran Demonstrator Progressing At VT
A new shape in navy warships is quickly taking shape in the U.K., as Vosper Thornycroft (VT) has completed structural work on the 321 ft. (98 m) Trimaran Warship demonstrator being built for the U.K.'s Defense Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). The upper bow structure, weighing approximately 25 tons, was maneuvered into position on the RV Triton, which is scheduled for launching this month. The ship will be delivered to DERA in August before starting the initial phase of a trials program that will determine whether trimaran hulls will be considered for the Royal Navy's Future Surface Combatant. BT has built the ship using mega-blocks weighing up to 200 tons each. Five mega blocks have been fabricated and extensively fitted out before consolidation.
BC Ferries Says Union’s Safety Report Inaccurate
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 Completes Investigation
BC Ferries has completed an internal investigation into the April 3 incident, in which unusually strong northwest winds caused Queen of Cowichan to break from its mooring lines at Departure Bay and drift on to an adjacent dock. Queen of Cowichan, which was moored at the outside terminal berth, broke its mooring lines at about 3:30 a.m., twisted free of the dock and went adrift, resulting in minor damage to the berth and an adjacent dock, and virtually no damage to the vessel. Queen of Coquitlam, which was moored at the inside terminal berth, also broke its stern mooring lines in the high winds, but remained secured by bow mooring lines and between protective wooden piles on either side of the vessel.
