With safety at the forefront of our operations, Woodfibre LNG is committed to providing information on our marine transportation activities in Howe Sound, including providing cargo vessel, passenger ferry, barge and water taxi schedules, and safety and navigation considerations.
The vessel schedules below provide an estimated date and time of departure and arrival of vessels during construction. Maps are included to show marine access routes that will be used for marine transportation during construction including:
Squamish Harbour Route: passage through Mamquam Blind Channel and Squamish Harbour to Woodfibre
Darrell Bay Route: passage from Darrell Bay through Squamish Harbour to Woodfibre
Vancouver Route: passage though Howe Sound, including Queen Charlotte Channel, Passage Island between Cowan and Point Atkinson to Pam Rocks, Montagu Channel east of Anvil Island, continuing northeast of the Defence Islands to Woodfibre
Weekly Arrivals and Departures
Week of September 25 – September 29, 2023
Vessel Type
Project Activity
Vessel Owner
Operator
Hours
Route
Water Taxi
WLNG Project/contractor personnel transportation
BCML
BCML
Daily starting at 6:30am/7:30am. Last trip from Woodfibre at ~5:00pm
Darrell Bay to Woodfibre – Return Multiple Trips
Tug and Barge
Transportation of materials and equipment
Mercury Barges
N/A
N/A
Vancouver Route to WLNG Site
Marine Safety Considerations
Marine Safety Zone (MSZ)
A MSZ will be established to ensure public safety and site security during Project construction. The MSZ will be controlled by Woodfibre LNG personnel and non-project vessels will be requested to keep a safe distance from the MSZ.
Project Vessel Operation
Project-related vessels and other vessels operating are required to maintain strict adherence to Canadian regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the Collision Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. This is a key regulatory requirement to ensure the safe navigation of all vessels. Each Project-related vessel will be controlled by its own captain and crew who have discretion to maneuver the vessel in the safest way possible.
Canadian Coast Guard Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) and Navigational Warnings (NAVWARN)
Woodfibre LNG will notify the Canadian Coast Guard of activities that may result in navigational obstructions. This information will allow the Canadian Coast Guard to issue Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) and Navigational Warnings (NAVWARN) as they deem appropriate.
Navigational Aids
Project-related vessels will use existing aids to navigate when transiting marine access routes. The Project will require approval and or a notice of works under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act for all components of the Project in navigable water
Navigational Charts
Woodfibre LNG will notify the Canadian Hydrographic Service when it has completed its marine works. This information will allow the Canadian Hydrographic Service to update navigational charts and other nautical publications as they deem appropriate.
BC Ferries
Woodfibre LNG will notify BC Ferries of the intended Project marine access routes prior to commencing construction. Project vessel schedules may be altered if potential interferences are identified between BC Ferries and the Project.
Resources
Using the Vessel Name, vessels can be tracked through the following websites:
For vessels carrying a BC Coast Pilot, travelling to or from the Woodfibre LNG site:
Go to the “Region” drop-down menu and click “Vancouver”
For vessels travelling to or from the Woodfibre LNG site, Automatic Identification System (AIS) information is publicly available:
Mariners can contact the Canadian Coast Guard’s Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Victoria on marine VHF Radio or by telephone. Mariners can also search for vessels on the MarineTraffic website.