Victoria International Marina

A scholarship was rolled out and the case for the proposed marina at Songhees for large luxury yachts was floated yesterday at a press conference held to mark World Oceans Day.

Andrew Walls, director of ocean sciences and energy for the B.C. Innovation Council, announced a scholarship of up to $75,000 over three years for student researchers in the emerging field of ocean science.

Figures provided by the council underscored the importance of the ocean and marine sector to B.C., noting that it represents seven to eight per cent of the province's economic activity. It encompasses 167,000 jobs and contributes more than $11 billion annually to the provincial gross domestic product.

The marine technology sector alone -- with several companies based in Greater Victoria -- contributes about $1.1 billion annually.

"It is a sector that we have identified as one where B.C. has a strong strategic advantage," Walls said.

The council was among the event organizers, along with Ocean Industries B.C. and Bob Evans, a partner in the controversial marina proposal.

Marina proponent Anthony Utley, owner of Raven Marine Services, which caters to luxury yachts, said they already bring many thousands of dollars into the capital region and support high-paying jobs.

"Every time one of these boats pulls into a harbour, I call it an economic event," Utley said.

He compared the economic impact of Sidney's Harbour Road to that of a pulp mill. At his own Harbour Road firm alone, 30 staff members make between $18 and $37 per hour, he said.

As an example of what yachts can mean to the economy, Utley referred to an 82-foot vessel moored in Sidney for part of the year.

Before the owner flew here recently via his private jet, preparations included fuel, laundry maintenance and a purchase of flowers, all supporting the local economy, Utley said. "He wasn't even here and he's spending money."

While in the capital region, the owner spent $5,000 on a kayak and supplies in Victoria, and another $3,000 on fishing supplies. A new tender (a smaller boat for the yacht) was ordered from a local boat builder, and a further $70,000 will be spent on other items and services, Utley said.

Meanwhile, the high-tech, 134-foot-long, twin-hull Silver Cloud was showcased in Victoria Harbour by Florida owner and philanthropist Alexander Dreyfoos Jr., president of the Dreyfoos Group and Photo Electronics Corp., and co-founder of the International SeaKeepers Society. The luxury vessel pulled in Sunday on an around-the-world voyage. It heads to Vancouver next before sailing north to Alaska.

Yacht owners affiliated with the SeaKeepers carry an ocean-monitoring device on their vessels to collect data to share with researchers at no cost. More than 50 vessels are equipped with these systems.

Launched last year, the Silver Cloud carries the ocean-monitoring system and a night navigator, a high-resolution camera system with thermal imaging developed by the Current Corporation of Port Moody.

The navigator's functions include the ability to pick up the presence of whales at night and identify them by their spouts, thus allowing vessels to avoid them. The system's daytime camera provides views in high-definition.

The night navigator also can help protect vessels from pirates because it can pick up images from body heat, said Current president and SeaKeepers co-founder Douglas Houghton.

Like Utley, Evans promoted the proposed Victoria International Marina project, which has yet to receive the go-ahead from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

The marina plans have been altered to provide about 20 metres of room for paddlers, who have voiced concerns about the amount of space they would have to navigate along the shoreline. "It is much more open now," Evans said.

The marina has sparked opposition among residents whose concerns include safety in the busy Victoria Harbour, its impact on views and on the environment.

Also at the event, Tom Roemer, Camosun College's Dean of its school of trades and technology, said a $100,000 provincially and federally funded report titled Securing B.C.'s Maritime Economy will be released shortly.

It identifies entrepreneurial opportunities as well as training needs, Roemer said. UVic and Camosun representatives worked together on the report.

An Ocean Innovation Conference will be held in Victoria Oct. 20-22, Roemer said. Up to 300 participants, with 30 speakers and 30 exhibits, are expected to exchange technology and knowledge.

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World Oceans Day Celebrated by International & Local Marine Leaders

Victoria International Marina (Community Marine Concepts) working with Ocean Industries BC, COYA, educational institutions and other marine leaders gathered on Ships Point at Victoria, Monday June 8th, to discuss ocean protection and research capabilities on a local and global basis. Included with those pictured below were senior executives, Andrew Walls from the Ocean Sciences and Energy division of the BC Innovations Council, Ocean Industries BC Chairman Brian Barnett, Tom Roemer, Dean of Camosun College School of Trades and Technology, Don Prittie, Chairman of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, Lyle Soetaert, Chairman of the Victoria – Esquimalt Harbour Society, Dave Cowen, Vice-Chair of the Victoria Tourism Commission and Frank Hudson, retired Chairman BC Coast Guard Auxilliary. The International SeaKeepers Society is a nonprofit organization supported by corporate and private donations. More than 50 ships and yachts around the world carry the Society’s oceans analysis thru-hull sensors operating on a 24/7 basis sending data to about 20 research centers via satellite. The international senior members include former president of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Roy Disney of Disney World, Founding President, Jim Gilbert and Paul Allen and J.Mark Grosvenor of National Geographic. The group toured the world’s first SWATH yacht, the 600 ton, 134 “Silver Cloud”, launched in 2008, which sailed into Victoria June 7th on a world tour. The compact SeaKeepers equipment aboard the yacht was operating with special search and rescue all-weather, night and day camera systems made in Canada at Port Moody by Current Corporation. The cameras are also used to detect whales to avoid collisions at sea, by registering the temperature of the whale’s breath spouts far ahead of ship.

Adding their signatures to the Oceans BC pledge proclamation to assist in improving and protecting world ocean environments are...
Doug Houghton, President of international marine electronics manufacturer, Current Corporation, Port Moody, BC, a SeaKeepers Charter Member;

Robert Evans, partner in the Victoria International Marina project, and board member with the Victoria - Esquimalt Harbour Society;

Alexander Dreyfoos Jr., American electronics inventor and philanthropist, an original founder of the International SeaKeepers Society, Fort Lauderdale and Monaco;

Lachlan MacLean, General Manager of the Victoria International Marina Project, the future Canadian home office for SeaKeepers.

The marina project team continued public consultation and providing information about the Victoria project at the recent Victoria and Nanaimo Boat Shows.

News and Memos

• East Coast Marine Interests Plan New Superyacht Hub In Newfoundland and Labrador. Following initiatives similar to Community Marine Concepts and the Victoria International Marina, Paul Vincent, Baccalao’s Marine Investments’ CEO announced on June 24th they are “seeking to build on extensive history of commercial and naval activity in the east region, as well as substantial modern R&D facilities, Baccalo is at the forefront of a movement to bring the east coast into the superyacht market. With an ever increasing global superyacht fleet, and with more and more Explorer class yachts traveling to more distant locations, the demand for superyacht dedicated facilities is growing.”

• The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority supportsthe Victoria International Marina. A resolution was passed at their June meeting endorsing the “working harbour role of the marina”. GVHA Chairman Don Prittie and CEO Paul Servos commented positively in earlier interviews with media.

• Richard Gladych, globe-trotting marketing chief for Yachtpath announced one of their transporter ships would reach Victoria to unload 16 yachts at Ogden Point on Tuesday the 9th of June.

• Victoria is listed as one of the world’s top twelve international yachting destinations in global advertising campaigns run by Yachtpath International during past six months. Other destinations included Monaco, St.Thomas in the Virgin Islands, Ft. Lauderdale, and St. Martin in the Caribbean.

Ocean and marine sector vital to B.C.

Extract of article by Carla Wilson, Times Colonist, June 9, 2009

“Figures provided by the council underscored the importance of the ocean and marine sector to B.C.,noting that it represents seven to eight per cent of the province’s economic activity. It encompasses 167,000 jobs and contributes more than $11 billion annually to the provincial gross domestic product. The marine technology sector alone -- with several companies based in Greater Victoria -- contributes about $1.1 billion annually. “It is a sector that we have identified as one where B.C. has a strong strategic advantage,” said Andrew Walls, director of ocean
sciences and energy for the B.C. Innovation Council."

“Marina proponent Anthony Utley, owner of Raven Marine Services, which caters to luxury yachts, said they already bring many thousands of dollars into the capital region and support high-paying jobs.”Every time one of these boats pulls into a harbour, I call it an economic event,” Utley said.He compared the economic impact of Sidney’s Harbour Road to that of a pulp mill. At his own Harbour Road firm alone, 30 staff members make between $18 and $37 per hour, he said. As an example of what yachts can mean to the economy, Utley referred to an 82-foot vessel moored in Sidney for part of the year. Before the owner flew here recently via his private jet, preparations included fuel, laundry maintenance and a purchase of flowers, all supporting the local economy, Utley said. “He wasn’t even here and he’s spending money.” While in the capital region, the owner spent $5,000 on a kayak and supplies in Victoria, and another $3,000 on fishing supplies. A new tender (a smaller boat for the yacht) was ordered from a local boat builder, and a further $70,000 will be spent on other items and services, Utley said.”

View of Marina (including public outdoor seating) from Westsong Walkway

The architects and designers at the Herb Kwan offices have worked diligently to ensure that the renderings exactly represent the scale of the yachts and marina buildings

 View of marina from Paul Kane Place

www.victoriainternationalmarina.ca
lmaclean@wamdevelopment.com
revans@victoriainternationalmarina.ca

"On behalf of the BC Yacht Brokers Association, I would like to express our support for the proposed Victoria International Marina and encourage your government to move forward with approval of the proposal submitted by Community Marine Concepts."
Alan Stovell, President, BC Marine Trades Association
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