Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an oceans protection plan in November amid the outcry over a fuel spill off British Columbia, uncertainty about a proposed tanker ban in the region, and a highly contested pipeline expansion that will increase the flow of oil there.
Earmarking $1.5 billion ($1.1 billion USD) to fund the plan, Trudeau said his goal was to arm Canada with “one of the best marine safety and emergency preparation systems in the world” within five years.
During the Nov. 7 announcement in Vancouver, Trudeau called attention to the Oct. 13 grounding of the tugboat Nathan E. Stewart near Bella Bella, B.C., which resulted in up to 25,000 gallons of fuel spilling (see story on page 30). Trudeau called the incident “unacceptable” and pledged aggressive precautionary measures going forward.
“This robust, national plan will protect our oceans and coastlines from the damage that comes from shipping and pollution,” Trudeau said, with the ultimate goal being “to meet or surpass the world leading marine safety practices of Alaska and Norway.”
Provisions of the plan, defined in full on Transport Canada’s website (www.tc.gc.ca), include:
• Increasing marine safety information for mariners and improving hydrography, charting and e-navigation products. More than 20 of the highest-traffic commercial ports and waterways in Canada, covering two-thirds of the nation’s total cargo vessel traffic, will get updated navigational information.
This story is from the February 2017 edition of Professional Mariner.
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This story is from the February 2017 edition of Professional Mariner.
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