Wednesday, January 7, 2003

New contract for Island shipyard

Taxpayers are helping bring some new work to the East Isle Shipyard. The province is loaning Atlantic Towing Limited $16 million so it can have two new tugboats built at the Georgetown operation.

At the height of the project it will mean work for 95 people. The contract will keep the yard busy until 2005, and avoids the need to send most of the workers home.

Both the shipyard and Atlantic Towing are owned by the Irving family of Saint John, N.B.

Development Minister Mike Currie, who represents the riding the business is located in, said the province decided on the loan because Canada does not have a shipbuilding policy. He said it is the best way to develop and encourage the shipbuilding sector on the Island.

The loan, with interest, will be paid back to the province over ten years.  [Read more]

Saturday, November 22, 2003

Mari-Tech 2004 in Victoria, BC

The Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering – CIMarE Vancouver Island Branch, is hosting Mari-Tech 2004 in Victoria, BC.

Over the past six years the Vancouver Island Branch of the Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering (CIMarE) successfully hosted several conferences on the development and production of high-speed vessels and in 2002 on the development of offshore oil.

These conferences brought world-renowned professionals to Victoria to present their research and experience on the domestic and international stage.

As part of CIMarE, the Branch is committed to providing marine engineering professionals with continued opportunities to develop their knowledge and professional skills, stay up-to-date on international engineering development, and interact within the engineering community. It is, therefore, with great anticipation that the Branch in hosting the Institute's annual marine engineering conference "Mari-Tech 2004.

Ralph McClure C.Eng, MRINA, MIMarEST

Friday, July 25, 2003

Some East Coast ferries may be unsafe: Probe

Some large ferries operating between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland could become unstable and sink within minutes under certain conditions, according to an investigation by CBC News.

The warnings appear in federal studies that show the ferries could capsize quickly if water floods the car and truck deck – either because of a collision or if a door is left open.

Ottawa has known for more than a decade that the design is potentially dangerous, according to documents. Ferry tragedies abroad have prompted a call for tougher regulations in many countries. Experts suggested a change in overall design of the craft. [Read more]

Friday, June 27, 2003

Irvings announce closure of Saint John shipyard

A 40-year shipbuilding tradition in the Maritimes, is ending. The Irving family is shutting down its Saint John shipyard -- the largest such facility in Canada.[Read more]

Wednesday, April 02, 2003

Retired P.Engs no longer to act as passport applicant guarantors

Recent changes to the Canadian passport application process disallow retired professional engineers to act as guarantors.

The Office of the Registrar General at the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services has made the changes in a move to further safeguard the integrity and security of vital documents. Its birth certificate application process now also requires guarantors. Again, retired professional engineers do not qualify. [Read more from PEO "Engineering Dimensions" Magazine]