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.