Fall Bursary and Book Award made at WMI

Capt. John Lewis was pleased to attend at Western Maritime Institute (WMI) in Ladysmith, BC earlier this week to present Dale Gisborne with his 2023 Fall Bursary award and Daniel Clark with his Book Award.

Capt. John Lewis presents Dale Gisborne with his 2023 Fall Bursary award
Capt. John Lewis presents Daniel Clark with his book award

Applications for Fall 2023 Bursaries being accepted

Applications are invited from qualified students for the Fall 2023 NPESC bursaries. There will be five C$1,500 bursaries awarded to applicants enrolled in Nautical Science or Marine Engineering courses of a minimum length of 250 hours at a training institution approved by Transport Canada and registered with the British Columbia government.  

For more information and to make an application please CLICK HERE

Please note that the deadline for applications is: October 31st, 2023 

Students who have previously successfully won any of the above bursaries are not eligible to win the same ‘type-funded’ bursary again

There will be another competition in the Spring of 2024 with more Bursaries being offered. If you are not successful at this Fall event, we encourage you to re-apply in the Spring. 

The successful candidates are required to write to the Trustees after one year, to inform them of their progress and how the award was used. Such letters may be used in the Society’s newsletter ‘Seatimes’ or website”.

Bursary winner – Living the dream

Fall 2022 Bursary Award recipient Deanna Kent receives her certificate from instructor Al de Konick of Western Maritime Institute. Deana has completed her Initial Service Entry Training (ISET) with The Canadian Coast Guard and having joined a ship she is now living her dream. The NPESC is thrilled to hear good news stories like this from successful recipients of our bursaries and we wish Deanna nothing but the best in her blossoming sea-going career.

Brian Johnston FNI 1931-2023

It is with great sorrow and sadness that we report the passing of a founding member and a long-time supporter of the Nautical Professional Society of Canada (NPESC).

Brian went to sea at the age of 16 as a Cadet with “Eagle Oil” and remained with that company until he had obtained his Foreign Going Masters Certificate of Competency. In 1959 he left the sea and moved to Canada, working his way on a ship bound for ports in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In his search for work he took a job as a steeplejack but ships and the sea were what he knew and soon found a position on a Canadian Coastguard vessel based in Prince Rupert that led him to the Ship Safety Division of Transport Canada in Vancouver.

Brian was a warm, kind and humble man with an extensive knowledge of cargo ops and was known as the ‘go-to-person’ in Transport Canada, Ship Safety. He was well known throughout the marine Industry and avid supporter (Past Chairman and Fellow) of the Nautical Institute BC Branch. He will be sadly missed.

Capt. Brian Silvester Memorial Maritime Bursary

We have the pleasure to inform you that we have awarded the 3rd Annual Bursary to Mr Rodney Amos of Victoria.

He recently finished his courses Ship Construction and Stability for his Masters Near Coastal Certification at Camosun College.

He was most convincing in his application for this Bursary and we acknowledge Camosun College for the superb work that they deliver for sailors like Rodney.

We know that Capt. Brian would be proud of the work being done in his name.