I live and work the central coast. I transit The inside passage regularly also the Hecate. On one hand the proposed pipelines could be lucrative for me.
I prefer my environment is kept free of bitumen tankers.
The Nathan E Stuart’s barge did not leak. The fact it was an oil barge got every excited. Any tug which grounded or sank on this coast would produce a similar environmental problem. Several tug and barges pass through Lama Pass and Seafoarth channel every day.
Sending pusher tugs out to the Hecate is just asking for a worse problem.
greys harbour was mentioned.
As said the problem was crew size and fatigue. But the bottom line is the bottom dollar counts. Until the regulations exist to ensure decent manning and full bridge watch with sufficient watch keepers on tankers then the coast is at risk.
I quite simply do not trust embridge or the Canadian federal government and thier utterly incapable regulators to ensure the coast is protected.
They will go for the cheapest bid and the best photo opportunity.
No notice was taken when the coal ship grounded off prince Rupert .
No notice was taken when a bulkier had to anchor for days in the Hecate
The Norwegian incident should be a learning event for this coast. But it will be ignored because it was a head on collision and the tanker was not badly damaged. Everyone is focused on the yet another dumb navy ship story.
The Norwegian coast was lucky
The stuff they want to ship from Alberta is low grade tar and really horrible for the environment if spilled.
Yet the Canadian government has no problem allowing escort tugs escorting tankers through the 1st and 2nd Narrows with a crew of Master and a SMVO. Why?
Money
Ok they are throwing lots at it today but mostly for PR.
Why not refine it in Alberta and ship light grade refined oil and LNG.
I am sure spilled LNG is not great for the environment but it will do a hell of a lot less harm than the crap from the tar sands.
Sorry for the rant. But I am far less concerned about the American tugs than what they intend to move through here.