Sunday, December 25, 2011

MERRY CHARITABLE CHRISTMAS

May this be the best Christmas you ever knew, one which left you overwhelmed with a sense of being the most fortunate person on Earth. May it be one that spoiled you breathless, with countless gifts of enormous magnitude and incalculable value. And, may you have lavishly given to others more magnanimously than you received. But, more importantly, may all your bounty be of the kind that inspires souls, warms hearts and brings hope.

Christmas is irrevocably associated with giving, regardless of your belief about its origin or meaning. Religious or not, this December season brings us closer to people – family, friends, and sometimes even strangers. But, very often the connection we’re inexplicably compelled to make is weakened – or goes miserably unfelt - because of a fixation on “stuff”. Succumbing to the buying frenzy that has become Christmas leaves the less wealthy feeling inadequate in their ability to demonstrate love for family, and imbues those of means with a false and unwarranted sense of meaning.

May your Christmas be rich in what really matters – feeling the loving embrace of family & friends, and finding the opportunity to personally help another living creature (human or otherwise). Perhaps more importantly, may your children learn from your example which gifts are truly priceless.

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Friday, April 30, 2010

Canadian Navy Centennial

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (Marketwire - April 30, 2010)

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 marks the commemoration and celebration of the Canadian Naval Centennial (CNC). Throughout the centennial year, the Canadian Navy is celebrating 100 years of naval service in Canada.

"It has always been a challenge to overcome maritime blindness in Canada, but the extraordinary work of our sailors is helping to demonstrate the amazing capability of the naval service and the important role the navy plays in Canada." says Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, Chief of the Maritime Staff. "The purpose of the Canadian Navy's centennial is not just to celebrate our achievements or tell the story of our navy; it is also to publicly renew our commitment to Canada and to the future. The support of Canadian citizens allows us to do the job we have been assigned and we thank the people of Canada for recognizing this important time in Canadian naval history and for sharing it with us."

Although May 4th, 1910 is the date that Royal Assent was given to the Naval Service Act thereby establishing the Department of Naval Service, several official naval centennial events will be held across the country throughout the year.

On Sunday, May 2, 2010 the three formations of the Canadian Navy, headquartered in Halifax, Quebec City and Esquimalt, along with Maritime Command in Ottawa and Canada's 24 Naval Reserve Units across the country will all hold commemorative services to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.

On Monday, May 3, 2010 Canada Post will unveil a set of two commemorative stamps at the Canadian War Museum, celebrating the Canadian Navy's 100th anniversary .The stamps will be available to the public on the following day (May 4th).

TUESDAY MAY 4, 2010, WILL SEE A HOST OF EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY:

OTTAWA

At 10 a.m., in the presence of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, Chief of the Maritime Staff, will present a ship's bell, the Canadian Navy Centennial Bell, to the people of Canada in a ceremony held in the Senate Chamber on Parliament Hill. Then, in the afternoon at 1:30 p.m., Vice-Admiral McFadden will be joined by Marie Lemay, CEO NCC, and Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Director of Programming NCC, to break ground for the national naval monument at Richmond Landing behind the Library of Archives.

VICTORIA

At 9:30 a.m. local time, Maritime Forces Pacific will exercise its "Freedom of the City" of Victoria. Rear Admiral Tyrone Pile, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, will lead a parade of more than 2,700 Canadian Forces members and the Naden Band through downtown Victoria. Following the parade, the Naden Band and the Guard of Honour will return to the corner of Government and Wharf Streets for the unveiling and dedication of the "Homecoming Statue".

HALIFAX

At 10 a.m. local time, Maritime Forces Atlantic will exercise its "Freedom of the City" of Halifax. Rear-Admiral Paul Maddison, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic and more than 2,000 sailors and members of Maritime Forces Atlantic will parade through the streets of Halifax to City Hall.

The Canadian Navy is planning other events throughout 2010 year to mark this significant moment in Canada's naval history within the context of the centennial theme of "Bring the Navy to Canadians" -with events aimed at honouring the past, showcasing the current navy and reinforcing the requirement for the future navy. The centennial slogan of "Commemorate, Celebrate and Commit" reflects the Canadian Navy's broad aims in marking this historic national event.

For a full list of centennial events please visit: www.canadiannavy100.forces.gc.ca

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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

QUATHIASKI COVE FERRY TERMINAL CLOSURE

VICTORIA, BC

BC Ferries advisory:

"BC Ferries’ dock at Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island will be temporarily closed for five days while a new berthing structure is installed. Alternate service will be provided for both Quadra and Cortes Islands during the dock closure from April 6 through 10, 2010.

BC Ferries is making this significant investment at Quathiaski Cove to ensure continued safe, reliable service for years to come. The $5.3 million project includes the replacement of the ramp, pontoon, wingwalls and waiting shelter. While work on the project began at the beginning of February and will conclude at the end of April, BC Ferries has pre-fabricated the berthing structure and other components off-site to minimize the necessary dock closure period.

During the closure the MV Tachek will operate between Campbell River and Heriot Bay terminal on Quadra Island, transporting commercial and essential vehicle traffic only.

Beginning March 15, all customers will be required to reserve their desired sailing by calling 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779).

The MV Tenaka will operate between Campbell River and Whaletown terminal on Cortes Island. All vehicular and foot traffic are welcome and will be loaded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Both vessels will operate three round-trip voyages each day.

In addition, a water taxi service will be available to transport foot passengers between Campbell River and Quathiaski Cove terminals. This service will operate approximately every 20 minutes, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. There will be no direct ferry service between Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals during the five-day period.

BC Ferries will be hosting public open houses to provide information about the alternate service plan and to answer any questions as follows:

• Monday, March 22, 2010, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Community Centre on Quadra Island.

• Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mansons Hall on Cortes Island."

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SEND YOUR NEWS AND EVENT TIPS TO: news@ewmanchester.com. Include your name, address, phone number and email contact information for verification purposes (won’t be published unless requested).

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Friday, February 12, 2010

OGDEN POINT REACHES OUT TO CRUISE SHIPS

The marine construction project to extend Victoria’s Ogden Point berthing capacity is expected to be complete in time to welcome the first cruise ship of this season. That vanguard of the 228 ships scheduled to visit in 2010 arrives April 26^th.

The new mooring dolphin, some 70 metres off Pier B, will enable Ogden Point to better accommodate an expanding flotilla of jumbo cruise ships – those in service and the even larger ones being built - that has already outgrown the terminal’s 243-metre jetty.

When complete, the $3.3-million project – which includes some dredging - will enable a pair of 335-metre ships to dock simultaneously, without hanging out well past the wharf as they do now. In addition, the longer pier arrangement will permit mooring lines to be deployed at more effective angles, in safer configurations – resulting in berthing capabilities similar to that of Seattle and Alaskan ports of call.

The mooring dolphin project – a financial collaboration of the federal and BC governments, and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority – is a group effort by principal contractor Pacific Industrial and Marine Ltd., and project engineers Herold Engineering and PND Engineering.

In 2009, cruise ships brought some 550,000 passengers and crew to Victoria, who spent an estimated $70 million while there – which includes $50,000 per ship in repairs and services.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

CCGS BARTLETT REFIT CONTINUES

NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (Marketwire)

Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, today announced on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that Allied Shipbuilders Ltd. has been awarded a $15.5 million contract to complete major repairs to the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Bartlett.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our Government is investing in communities across Canada," said Mr. Saxton. "This major ship refit is benefiting North Vancouver - creating local jobs and investing in our community and British Columbia's future."

This work is the second phase of a major life extension project for the CCGS Bartlett. The first phase was completed by Allied Shipbuilders Ltd. in July. Both contracts were awarded as a result of separate competitive processes.

The CCGS Bartlett is a medium-endurance multi-tasked vessel, used in tending to navigational aids, resupplying lighthouses, search and rescue, and fisheries enforcement. It is based in Victoria.

"This investment will help ensure that the dedicated men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard have the equipment needed to keep our waters safe, accessible and secure," said Mr. Saxton. "These repairs are expected to keep the Bartlett in service for another ten years."

Of the $175 million announced for the Coast Guard in the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan, $74 million will be invested in life extension projects for five of the Canadian Coast Guard's largest vessels. All repair work will be completed by March 2011.

Backgrounder:

Canada's Economic Action Plan Investing in Major Repair Work on Canadian Coast Guard Vessels (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/back-fiche/2009/hq-ac26a-eng.htm)

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Dan Bate, Communications Officer, 604-209-6225
Nancy Bishay, Press Secretary, 613-992-3474

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

VANCOUVER ISLAND RESCUERS GO INLAND

CANADIAN FORCES MEDIA RELEASE (19 January 2010)

“19 WING COMOX – Last night Jan 18th, the Cormorant helicopter and the Buffalo aircraft from 442 Squadron, 19 Wing Comox, were dispatched by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre to the Sicamous, BC area to the site of an avalanche and four male snowmobilers.

Capt Scott Dockeray, the Cormorant Aircraft Commander describes the night flight “as a fairly long transit, but the Buffalo was already there dropping flares and providing illumination, so it made it easier to find them. The most difficult portion was the helicopter was high and heavy and didn’t have a lot of power to play with”.

Two search and rescue technicians were hoisted 130 feet down to the site and they found one uninjured, one deceased and one with lower leg injuries, but in stable condition. They assessed their injured person and packaged him in preparation to hoist him up to the helicopter. The uninjured male assisted the search and rescue technicians on the scene and when the extraction was complete was flown back to the top where the fourth snowmobiler was waiting.

The injured patient was taken to the Kamloops Hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.

The CH-149 Crew: Capt Scott Dockeray, Aircraft Commander, Capt Brian Woolliams, First Officer, Sgt Neil Thorne, Flight Engineer, Sgt Dwayne Guay and MCpl Anthony Vail Search and Rescue Technicians.”

FULFORD HARBOUR: BOAT SINKS, MAN DIES

RCMP Media Release (18 January 2010)

“The Salt Spring Island RCMP, Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue, and the Canadian Coast Guard were called to the scene of a sunken vessel, in Salt Spring Island's Fulford Harbour, shortly before 10:00 am Monday morning. The boat, described as a 40 foot fishing trawler with live-aboard facilities, sunk sometime overnight.

A Search of the waters of Fulford Harbour commenced immediately, with the support of the RCMP West Coast Marine Service, Canadian Coast Guard, and local search and rescue crews. Shortly after 12:30 pm Monday afternoon, searchers recovered the body of a 48 year old man, in the waters off the east shore of Fulford Harbour. The man is believed to have been the sole occupant of the vessel. The BC Coroner's Service is now involved with the investigation.

Police suspect that an overnight storm that swept through the South Coast of BC, bringing with it heavy winds, may have played a role in the sinking of the vessel. The RCMP Dive Team is en route to the Island, with plans to enter the sunken vessel, and confirm no other persons were on board at the time of her sinking. Police have uncovered no evidence to suggest foul play in this incident.

Due to the vessel being fully submerged, police are unable at this time, to provide details on its condition. This information will be gathered in the days to come.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld at this time, as police work on notifying his next of kin.”

Nautical Notes