Category: Uncategorized

Zak Farid

Our very good friend and colleague Captain Zak Farid passed away on April 18th at Royal Jubilee Hospital Victoria following two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit. Family and a number of close friends were at his bedside at the time of his passing. Zak was the Director, Operational Safety & Standards for BC Ferries for a number of years and was a long-standing Chair of the Navigation Aids and Navigation Safety Sub-committee of the Pacific Coast Marine Review Panel. After BC Ferries he was appointed the lead auditor conducting International Safety Management (ISM) Audits for BC Ferries and was one of the safety inspectors for Vanuatu Flag vessels arriving in Canada. Zak also holds the honour of being master of Canada’s first hovercraft running on a commercial basis and was the recipient of Transport Canada’s 2007 Marine Safety Award that recognized his outstanding contributions to Canadian marine safety. 

Awards made to BCIT students

BCIT Nautical Sciences students Jeremy Botel and Matthew Clarke were two of the succesful applicants for this year’s NPESC bursary awards. Earlier today they were presented with their cheques and certificates by BC Supercargoes Association President, Terry Stuart. Also in attendance was NPESC secretary/treasurer Captain Joachim Ruether. These two awards were made possible by a generous donation from the BC Supercargoes Association.

Cadet Jeremy Botel receives his cheque and certificate from Terry Stuart, President of the BC Supercargoes Association (right).
Cadet Matthew Clarke receives his cheque and certificate from Terry Stuart,President of The BC Supercargoes Association

Congratulations to Cody Goliath

Western Maritime Institute student Cody Goliath (centre) is presented with his cheque and certificate as one of the successful applicants for this years NPESC bursaries. Making the presentation to Cody, on behalf of NPESC, is Captain John Lewis. (Right). Also in attendance from WMI is Captain Bob Kitching, FNI (left), himself a founding member of NPESC.

Canada’s new Ocean Protection Plan

The recently announced $1.5 billion Ocean Protection Plan for Canada has four encompassing priority areas:

  1. Creating a world-leading marine safety system
  2. Preserving and restoring the marine ecosystem
  3. Investment in oil spill response and cleanup
  4. Partnerships with Indigenous communities

Included in the Ocean Protection Plan are new navigational aids, added towing capacity, a review of the Pilotage Act, and engagement with Indigenous groups in matters relating to spill response and marine safety.  To read the full plan, visit: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/oceans-protection-plan.html.