Gitxaala Nation and Seaspan to introduce Ship Escort and Docking Service in Prince Rupert

The Cow Bay Dock will be the destination tomorrow for a sneak peek
at a new Ship escort vessel set to serve the Prince Rupert area

The Gitxaala Nation and their partners at Seaspan Marine will be showing off some Marine assets tomorrow at the Cow Bay dock tomorrow afternoon, with the vessel Kestrel to be alongside for an open house and tour.

The ship assist service which will go into operation on January 1st, will be crewed 24 Hours a day, 365 days a year, available to offer ship docking and ship escort in local waters and to the range of terminal facilities found on the Prince Rupert waterfront.

In an information release from Friday, the two partners noted of the unique opportunity that the new service is brining to the region.

Gitxaala Nation has unlimited knowledge of the rugged west coast having lived, fished and navigated these waters for millenniums. 

For over 130 years, Seaspan has been an integral part of British Columbia's waterways by providing ship assist and escort service between Alaska and Mexico. 

Both partners offer vast experience and knowledge as mariners navigating these waters, making Seapson a more dependalbe optio for marine services in coast British Columbia. 

Gitxaala Nation Chief Counillor Linda Innes observed how the new venture celebrates the Nation's ties to the water. 

 "The Gitxaala, also known as People of the Saltwater, are one of the most ancient societies on the coast and we continue to celebrate our history, practice our traditions cherish our lands, waters and resources. 

This new relationship with Seaspan will ensure our people can use our knowledge and experience in our traditional territory while developing long-term jobs and economic opportunities right here at home."

The partnership with Seaspan which has Canadian operations out of North Vancouver is just the latest of enterprise's that the Gitxaala Nation have taken on through the Gitxaala Enterprises Corporation.

Tomorrows sneak preview and Open House takes place from Noon to 3:30 at the Cow Bay Dock at the Atlin Terminal.

Learn more about the Service set to launch in January here.

It's not the first time that Seaspan has partnered with an Indigenous Nation, in 2019, the North Vancouver company and the Haisla announced their plans to work together towards a tug service, that to serve the LNG Canada project in Kitimat.