Past Projects

In 2018/19 GMSL completed three projects for Transport Canada related to the Oceans Protection Plan. The first was to lead a Pilotage Risk Management Methodology (PRMM) process to conduct an initial risk-screening of ship-routing and operational measures to reduce ship noise in the Salish Sea and thereby mitigate impacts on the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) populations in Haro and Juan de Fuca Straits. The second project was to conduct a review and assessment of foreign Vessel Traffic Management (VTM) regimes and harbour safety committee practices to identify aspects that could be incorporated within a Proactive Vessel Management (PVM) regime for Canada to improve the inclusion of coastal communities in cooperative use of the coastal water-space. The third project was a review of Canada’s Places of Refuge (POR) contingency plans alongside comparable foreign examples to identify potential improvements in structure, approach and format.

As a result of the Nathan E. Stewart grounding in October 2016, conducted a risk assessment and review of the Pacific Pilotage Authority’s rules for granting waivers, worked with industry to examine the composition of the Canadian and US wavered fleets and identify risk factors based on surveys of experience and plotting of traffic patterns and incident records. Through the Pilotage Risk Management Methodology determined reasonable and prudent changes to pilotage waivers, and obtained general agreement on proposed changes that were subsequently approved by the PPA Board.

Conducted a 4-hour orientation session on earthquake planning and response for 100 members of the Hotel Association of Vancouver. The briefing and discussion was tailored particularly to the needs of the downtown Vancouver hospitality industry.

Under subcontract to Lansdowne Technologies Inc, drafted an Immediate Response Plan (IRP) for the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI). The plan covered initial responses of the ministry’s highways branch to a M7.0-7.3 earthquake in the Vancouver/Victoria urban areas, with particular emphasis on the stand-up of the ICS-based emergency response organizations, as well as individual responses, in the first 72hrs to five days. The project provided critical orientation to staffs in preparation for the June 2016 COASTAL RESPONSE earthquake exercise in Port Alberni.

Conducted for the Pacific Pilotage Authority a net risk assessment for the boarding marine pilots on LNG ships by helicopter. The study was commissioned by PPA in cooperation with Pacific Northwest LNG, BG, Shell and Chevron to consider the implications for the introduction of LNG trade from Prince Rupert and Kitimat. The result was unanimous acceptance and rapid progress to implementation.

Under contract to the Pacific Pilotage Authority and the Port Authority of Prince Rupert, conducted an assessment of future  marine traffic growth (out to 2028) in the Prince Rupert area and the implications for the PPA’s current model of service delivery. Computer methods were used to simulate different hypothetical traffic volumes and mixtures, and to generate data on pilot tasking. This was then used to propose improvements in service delivery contingent on energy-ship introduction to the north coast.

Conducted a study of all current and future marine traffic in the Prince Rupert area and examined risks associated with traffic patterns, using multiple data sources including AIS tracks and GIS computer tools. Proposed a comprehensive plan of both formal and largely informal ship-routing and public-awareness measures to enhance mutual marine safety between large and small vessels in Chatham Sound and the harbour approaches to Prince Rupert.