Anchors Aweigh: Council hears concerns over anchorage positions in Prince Rupert Harbour

A map of the thirty one anchorages for the Prince Rupert Harbour and its approaches
(from the Port of Prince Rupert Information guide)

Prince Rupert City Council members listened with much interest on Monday evening as Luanne Roth from the Tim Buck Suzuki Society outlined a range of concerns that she has, following some of her research into the anchorage situation in Prince Rupert harbour.

As part of a fourteen minute presentation, Ms. Roth provided some background information for Council on her organizations findings when it comes to the nature of Anchorage Safety in the Skeena Estuary.  

Highlighting a report (available here from the City Council Agenda) that her organization has compiled to outline what she calls the growing number of incidents that are taking place currently and observed as to her concerns over the potential for more with new developments proposed for the harbour area.

Luanne Roth delivered a presentation to Prince Rupert City Counci
on Monday evening to highlight her concerns over anchorage issues
in Prince Rupert harbour and the impact on the Skeena estuary

The long time North Coast environmental observer and advocate recounted some of the areas of concern and what dangers that they may pose along the length of Prince Rupert harbour, making note of an account of one past incident and what the findings were from it and concerns over safety margins that should be considered from some of the more worrisome areas.

She noted that there have been past studies done on the anchorage situation in Prince Rupert harbour and expressed her concern over the number of increased anchorage issues that have been noted in Prince Rupert something that she described as not normal,  further noting that the Port is receiving larger vessels than in the past which she believes could be the cause for such incidents.

As part of her presentation she asked that the city council endorse a letter that her organization has composed, or to write their own to ask for further investigation by the Minister of Transport.

Much of her concern was related to the progress of two proposed marine terminals for the region the first the Wolverine Marine Fuels Terminal proposed for an area between the Westview Pellet Terminal and the BC Ferries terminal 

She also called for a Marine Risk Assessment to be made related to the proposed Vopak Terminal project proposed for Ridley Island, she noted that currently their is an Environmental Assessment underway for that project and called for the Risk Assessment to be included, observing that there may be a need for some pressure to be required to make that part of the assessment process.

As Council members offered up some of their thoughts from her presentation, the issue was one that  appears for the  most part to have been handed over to North Coast Regional District to explore further. 

As part of his commentary, Mayor Brain made note as to how the topic of the anchorage issue had come up at Regional District the week previous and how it will require a dialogue with those responsible for managing those element at the Port Authority, with the Regional District Board reaching out to the Port for answers. 

The Mayor also suggested how that was an approach that City Council may want to follow as well, seeking to hear comments from Port officials on the issue before taking any further action related to a request for a letter for Transport Canada.

As well, Mr. Brain noted that Ms. Roth had been invited to speak to the Regional District Board to review her findings for the regional body

More background on the Regional District session came out of an inquiry from a member of the public later on in the session, who spoke to the topic of the relationship between the Port and the City and if the Port ever makes an appearance at Council and allowed for community comment at those sessions. 

The mayor observed that they have made presentations to Council but that they can't be requested to attend to face questions. He did observe that they do offer their own community engagement opportunities at times.

Mr. Brain also noted that the Regional District had requested that the Port make a presentation to that body and that District could inform the public when that presentation may take place.

Two council members offered up commentary towards the theme of discussion, with Councillor Adey thanking Ms. Roth for the presentation, then speaking to some other issues that the city may wish to pursue, including air quality concerns related to cruise ships that call on the community,

He asked the council if there was any interest in pursuing an impact assessment on a number of levels through Transport Canada.

Councillor Cunningham also offered up some thoughts on how the two proposed developments are on his radar and the issue is one that needs to be explored carefully.

Ms. Roth followed up on those thoughts with an observation as to how there is a need for an independent look required for the issue, noting how there is a different mandate for the public and the importance of the estuary; as opposed to the nature of the Port's mandate.

Information on anchorage locations can be found  from the Port of Prince Rupert website as part of the Port Information guide.

Instructions for arriving ships include:

Every vessel of 50 metres or more in length must obtain permission from the Authority prior to anchoring in Prince Rupert harbour area and its approaches. No Vessel shall anchor in such a place or position as to prevent free and unobstructed passage for all vessels to and from the harbour and to and from any wharf in the harbour. 

No vessel shall anchor in any designated seaplane operating area.

While at anchor every vessel shall:

Maintain a bridge watch
Keep a listening watch on VHF 16 and VHF 71
Have the engine(s) on standby

If the wind speed at the vessel exceeds 25 knots the vessel shall have the second anchor ready for letting go.

A map and list of the thirty one anchorage locations, as well as anchoring procedures can be found on pages 49 to 53 of the Information guide.

You can review her presentation to Council from the City's Video Archive, her comments can be found at the 20 minute mark.



The most recent notes related to the two Terminal projects referenced in the presentation can be found below:

Vopak Terminal

Wolverine Terminal

For more notes related to Port developments see our archive page here.

For more items related to Monday's City Council session see our Council Timeline Feature, a wider overview of council discussion themes can be found here.


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