News
Dec 14, 2023
As reported today in the the Cowichan Valley Citizen
Anchored ships will soon have time limits: MP
As reported today in the the Cowichan Valley Citizen
Anchored ships will soon have time limits: MP
Dec 7, 2023
Alliance membersip newsletter
Alliance membersip newsletter
Nov 23, 2023
MP MACGREGOR AND NDP SECURE LEGISLATIVE VICTORY TO ADDRESS LONG-TERM FREIGHTER ANCHORAGES IN THE SALISH SEA
MP MACGREGOR AND NDP SECURE LEGISLATIVE VICTORY TO ADDRESS LONG-TERM FREIGHTER ANCHORAGES IN THE SALISH SEA
Oct 25, 2023
Further presentations to the Standing Committee on Transportation in regards to Bill C33 the following statements were extracted from the transcripts
October 25th, 2023 / 8:35 p.m.
Duncan Wilson Vice-President, Environment and External Affairs, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority:
There's a paradigm shift that we need to have in the port—which I think we're well under way on—that it's not just anchorages where you can tie
up ships. You can have mooring dolphins, where ships could be tied up. You can also have single point moorings, which would reduce the amount
of space that's required for anchorages and allow you to moor more vessels.
October 25th, 2023 / 7:50 p.m.
Robert Lewis-Manning Chief Executive Officer, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority:
The management of vessel traffic should not be made in isolation and should leverage regional capabilities. For example, our four deep water
berths could support awaiting cargo exports from other ports, reducing carbon intensity and impacts on local communities.
Further presentations to the Standing Committee on Transportation in regards to Bill C33 the following statements were extracted from the transcripts
October 25th, 2023 / 8:35 p.m.
Duncan Wilson Vice-President, Environment and External Affairs, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority:
There's a paradigm shift that we need to have in the port—which I think we're well under way on—that it's not just anchorages where you can tie
up ships. You can have mooring dolphins, where ships could be tied up. You can also have single point moorings, which would reduce the amount
of space that's required for anchorages and allow you to moor more vessels.
October 25th, 2023 / 7:50 p.m.
Robert Lewis-Manning Chief Executive Officer, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority:
The management of vessel traffic should not be made in isolation and should leverage regional capabilities. For example, our four deep water
berths could support awaiting cargo exports from other ports, reducing carbon intensity and impacts on local communities.
Oct 23, 2023
This is our SCSWA part of the presentations in parliament on comments on Bill C33 the amendment to ‘Strengthen the port system and railway safety act in Canada. If you are interested, Bonnie Gee of the Chamber of Shipping made her comments prior to ours and later there are questions put to Bruce on our position.
Parliamentary View
This is our SCSWA part of the presentations in parliament on comments on Bill C33 the amendment to ‘Strengthen the port system and railway safety act in Canada. If you are interested, Bonnie Gee of the Chamber of Shipping made her comments prior to ours and later there are questions put to Bruce on our position.
Parliamentary View
June 28, 2023
Article in the Vancouver Sun: Vancouver port launches pilot to reduce commercial ships anchoring in Gulf Islands at night
Article in the Vancouver Sun: Vancouver port launches pilot to reduce commercial ships anchoring in Gulf Islands at night
June 13, 2023
Times Colonist report below
Vancouver container port places second-last on global efficiency ranking
CBC report below
Canada's largest port places 2nd last in global efficiency ranking
and a vessel that can anchor whenever it wants
Times Colonist report below
Vancouver container port places second-last on global efficiency ranking
CBC report below
Canada's largest port places 2nd last in global efficiency ranking
and a vessel that can anchor whenever it wants
Mar 9, 2023
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 6:06 PM
To: TC.Anchorages-Ancrages.TC@tc.gc.ca
Cc: elizabeth may P9 <elizabeth.may.P9@parl.gc.ca>
Subject: CSL Honourable Henry Jackman
To whom it might concern
This vessel anchored in Plumper Sound anchorage "D" today and has commenced its offloading procedures at approximately 5:30 pm. Despite CSL's assurance that it has mitigated the huge dust plumes that emanate from is discharging operations (industrial operations that should never be allowed in this environmentally fragile place, it appears as though this has not happened. This operation should be stopped immediately until proper repairs are made to the mitigating systems.
This is another reason that anchorages in the Southern Gulf Islands should be eliminated.
Bruce McConchie
South Pender Island
B.C.
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 6:06 PM
To: TC.Anchorages-Ancrages.TC@tc.gc.ca
Cc: elizabeth may P9 <elizabeth.may.P9@parl.gc.ca>
Subject: CSL Honourable Henry Jackman
To whom it might concern
This vessel anchored in Plumper Sound anchorage "D" today and has commenced its offloading procedures at approximately 5:30 pm. Despite CSL's assurance that it has mitigated the huge dust plumes that emanate from is discharging operations (industrial operations that should never be allowed in this environmentally fragile place, it appears as though this has not happened. This operation should be stopped immediately until proper repairs are made to the mitigating systems.
This is another reason that anchorages in the Southern Gulf Islands should be eliminated.
Bruce McConchie
South Pender Island
B.C.
Mar 3, 2023
Marilyn Gourley one of our members capture the following event and sent the following the Mister of Transportation
Subject: COWICHAN BAY F ANCHORAGE EXCHANGE. MARCH 3/23
Date: March 3, 2023 at 2:40:38 PM PST
To: "TC.MinisterofTransport-MinistredesTransports.TC@tc.gc.ca" <TC.MinisterofTransport-MinistredesTransports.TC@tc.gc.ca>
Cc: Active Vessel Traffic Management Vfpa <avtm@portvancouver.com>
Good afternoon Minister,
This morning in Cowichan Bay F [foxtrot] 2 large cargo freighters were in close proximity. One, ALPHA CHARM, was preparing to leave anchorage F , the other, ETG UBUNTU had arrived to take over the anchorage but had to wait close to shore for the other freighter to vacate it. Within a half hour the 2 freighters manoeuvered "out and in" to the anchorage with many residents on shore holding their breathe.
How could the VFPA schedule such a “close encounter”?
THIS SHOWS TO US THEIR LACK OF SAFETY CONCERN IN ASSIGNING THESE SOUTHERN GULF ISLAND ANCHORAGES.
The picture below show the event in progress with ALPHA CHARM in the center and the ETG UBUNTU at the right. On the left is OCEAN TIANBAO which is anchored in Cow E.
Marilyn Gourley one of our members capture the following event and sent the following the Mister of Transportation
Subject: COWICHAN BAY F ANCHORAGE EXCHANGE. MARCH 3/23
Date: March 3, 2023 at 2:40:38 PM PST
To: "TC.MinisterofTransport-MinistredesTransports.TC@tc.gc.ca" <TC.MinisterofTransport-MinistredesTransports.TC@tc.gc.ca>
Cc: Active Vessel Traffic Management Vfpa <avtm@portvancouver.com>
Good afternoon Minister,
This morning in Cowichan Bay F [foxtrot] 2 large cargo freighters were in close proximity. One, ALPHA CHARM, was preparing to leave anchorage F , the other, ETG UBUNTU had arrived to take over the anchorage but had to wait close to shore for the other freighter to vacate it. Within a half hour the 2 freighters manoeuvered "out and in" to the anchorage with many residents on shore holding their breathe.
How could the VFPA schedule such a “close encounter”?
THIS SHOWS TO US THEIR LACK OF SAFETY CONCERN IN ASSIGNING THESE SOUTHERN GULF ISLAND ANCHORAGES.
The picture below show the event in progress with ALPHA CHARM in the center and the ETG UBUNTU at the right. On the left is OCEAN TIANBAO which is anchored in Cow E.
Mar 3, 2023
Transport Canada rejects ban on freighter anchorages off of Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island First Nations leaders want freighter anchorages lifted in the Salish Sea
Transport Canada rejects ban on freighter anchorages off of Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island First Nations leaders want freighter anchorages lifted in the Salish Sea
Mar 1, 2023
Vancouver Island waters an ‘overflow industrial parking lot’ as freighter traffic skyrockets: MP
Vancouver Island waters an ‘overflow industrial parking lot’ as freighter traffic skyrockets: MP
Feb 23, 2023
The following incident was capture and a subsequent email was sent to the Minister of Transport
A video of the vessel can be viewed here
The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Dear Minister Omar Alghabra
On the morning of Thursday February 23 there was a brisk onshore wind here in Cowichan Bay, BC. I woke up to see the rather alarming scene that the wind had blown the vessel, St Columbia, well away from its anchorage (Cowichan Bay B) and that the ship was dangerously nearing shore. The ship had clearly been dragging its anchor while being helplessly relocated to this inappropriate precarious location.
At 8:00AM I started a time lapse video (attached). The beginning of the video shows the ship being moved closer to shore. The ship then starts to propel itself away from shore while struggling against the wind and current. The ship then lifts its anchor and drops it after moving further out to the usual anchorage location. All these movements happened without guidance or direction from a pilot.
It seems to me that this video clearly demonstrates that this site is unquestionably unsuitable to be used as an anchorage location given the vulnerability to dangerous situations resulting from the inability for the seabed to hold a ships anchor.
It would be appreciated if you could eliminate the risk of endangering lives and the environment by removing these unwanted and unsafe anchorages in this area. We look forward with anxious anticipation to your response.
Respectfully Yours
James Kerr
Cowichan Bay, BC
The following incident was capture and a subsequent email was sent to the Minister of Transport
A video of the vessel can be viewed here
The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Dear Minister Omar Alghabra
On the morning of Thursday February 23 there was a brisk onshore wind here in Cowichan Bay, BC. I woke up to see the rather alarming scene that the wind had blown the vessel, St Columbia, well away from its anchorage (Cowichan Bay B) and that the ship was dangerously nearing shore. The ship had clearly been dragging its anchor while being helplessly relocated to this inappropriate precarious location.
At 8:00AM I started a time lapse video (attached). The beginning of the video shows the ship being moved closer to shore. The ship then starts to propel itself away from shore while struggling against the wind and current. The ship then lifts its anchor and drops it after moving further out to the usual anchorage location. All these movements happened without guidance or direction from a pilot.
It seems to me that this video clearly demonstrates that this site is unquestionably unsuitable to be used as an anchorage location given the vulnerability to dangerous situations resulting from the inability for the seabed to hold a ships anchor.
It would be appreciated if you could eliminate the risk of endangering lives and the environment by removing these unwanted and unsafe anchorages in this area. We look forward with anxious anticipation to your response.
Respectfully Yours
James Kerr
Cowichan Bay, BC
Feb 15, 2023
Port of Vancouver releases their updated Port Information Guide which contains the Code of Conduct
Rather then subject you to all 310 pages I've extracted Appendix F which spells out the Anchorage Code of Conduct
and hi-lighted the sections in red which would apply to our area
Port of Vancouver releases their updated Port Information Guide which contains the Code of Conduct
Rather then subject you to all 310 pages I've extracted Appendix F which spells out the Anchorage Code of Conduct
and hi-lighted the sections in red which would apply to our area
Jan 31, 2023
OPED to the Vancouver Sun
OPED to the Vancouver Sun