Oil-Spill Centre Leaving BC

The federal government is closing BC's command centre for emergency oil spills at a time when the province is facing two possible pipeline projects and a potential spike in tanker traffic in West Coast waterways.

Ottawa has said it will shut down BC's regional office for emergency oil-spill responders, located in Vancouver, and centralize operations in Quebec in the wake of the cost-cutting March 29 federal budget. The move could affect about 42 jobs in the BC-Yukon region.

The closing comes as pipeline operator Kinder Morgan says it hopes to increase capacity on its Edmonton-to-Burnaby Trans Mountain line, potentially increasing the number of oil tankers in Vancouver's harbour from roughly 70 a year to 360.

Meanwhile, public hearings continue on Enbridge Inc.'s proposed $5.5-billion Northern Gateway pipeline from Alberta to BC, which could result in additional tanker traffic out of a new marine terminal in Kitimat.

“This move is so fundamentally flawed that we couldn’t believe they were serious – it looked at first like a joke” said Mike Richards of the Georgia Straight Alliance, “especially at a time of heightened concern about increased tanker traffic, it just makes no sense to close this important office.”

Reaction from local environmental groups was understandably perplexed but critical. The Georgia Straight Alliance found it difficult to find the right words, but managed a statement expressing their complete opposition to this apparently short-sighted budget cut.
 

Related Articles

Vancouver Maritime Museum 2013 Ocean Cruising Series

Vancouver Maritime Museum 2013 Ocean Cruising Series

Vancouver Maritime Museum has announced its 2013 Ocean Cruising Speakers Series: January 18 – 18 Years of Sailing Together by Judith and Harry McPhie, January 25 – South to Warmer Climes, Vancouver to Mexico and Back by Steve and Tracey Dolling, February 1 – Vancouver Island Circumnavigation by Ron Ungless and Gordon Milne, February 8 – Around the World at Age 18 by Zac Sunderland,

Marlow Acquisistions, LLC Completes Sale of Hunter Marine Corporation

Marlow Acquisistions, LLC Completes Sale of Hunter Marine Corporation

The sale to Marlow Acquisitions, LLC, for all of the assets of Hunter Marine Corporation, and selected assets of Mainship Corporation and Luhrs Corporation has closed, according to John T. Peterson, President of Hunter and Chief Restructuring Officer/Treasurer of Morgan Industries Corporation, the holding company of Mainship and Luhrs. “With this behind us it is time to shift all our resources to get back to the task at hand, building and marketing boats”, stated Peterson.

Fall Show at the Creek

Fall Show at the Creek

Mosquito Creek Marina’s 6th annual Boat Show at the Creek September 22-25 enjoyed generally good fall weather, steady crowds and strong purchaser interest. Sponsored by the BC Yacht Brokers Association, the show brought 150-plus power and sailboats, plus a number of marine vendors and suppliers, to the North Shore marina.

Gulf Islands Focus in Canadian Yachting West April Issue

Gulf Islands Focus in Canadian Yachting West April Issue

Canadian Yachting West’s April 2012 edition, available this month, focuses on the coast’s favourite cruising ground, the Gulf islands, in a pair of feature articles.

In Part 1 of a two-part series on BC Tidal Passes, cruising author William Kelly takes an in-depth look at tidal gateways of the Gulf Islands, including Active, Porlier and Gabriola Passes, with details on how to approach

Paddy Boyd Joins CYA

Paddy Boyd Joins CYA

On September 15, after an 18-month global search, the Canadian Yachting Association announced the official appointment of Paddy Boyd as Executive Director. Recently, Canadian Yachting sat down with Boyd at the association’s headquarters in Kingston, ON.

Video Gallery

Pursuit S268 Sport CC

By Andy Adams

The Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console is a do-it-all kind of boat with a solid sense of style. Centre console designs have been developed for the southern blue water sport fishing enthusiasts (and this boat would raise fish with the best of them) but the Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console offers far more utility and enjoyment than just fishing.

Read More

Destinations

Bayfield Marine Turns 40 with Big April Events

(l to r) Holly, Adam, Pat, Ron, Shelley

Ron and Pat Reder started out in October 1984 across the road from where they are right now on the Bayfield River in Bayfield ON. The store front was about 10 x 20 and the rest of that side of the building was a stock room, wood finishing room, then behind that was more back stock and the lunchroom. Expanding every few years for the store front, then moving over to this new building five years ago, this year with Adam, Shelley, and Holly are carrying on the business.

Read More

Lifestyle