Prince Rupert Port Authority Unveils New Harbour Patrol Vessel
December 4, 2019
The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) held a vessel blessing celebration today in honour of its newest harbour patrol vessel, the AMWAAL.
The vessel and the harbour safety team that crew her are a mainstay of PRPAâs commitment to marine safety. The new vessel features industry-leading equipment including navigation, communications, surveillance, marine fire fighting and high-speed jet-drive maneuverability, all of which will serve to greatly enhance PRPAâs marine safety capabilities. The vessel will also provide access to outer anchorages and local communities, and has a stable platform for PRPAâs in-house environmental monitoring programs and strengthened search and rescue support capability via onboard direction-finding equipment. The addition of the AMWAAL enhances the Prince Rupert Port Authorityâs marine safety presence and allows staff to continue making a safe port even safer.
The AMWAAL was blessed by Smâooygit Gitxoon (Hereditary Chief Alex Campbell) and Smâooygit Niistâooyx (Hereditary Chief Clarence Nelson) in the Tsâmsyen tradition. The name AMWAAL is derived from the Smâalgyax word meaning âprosperityâ. The name was chosen in consultation with Tsâmsyen hereditary leaders and PRPAâs Board of Directors as a symbol of the shared, long-term community benefits that have resulted from port opportunities.
âWe are proud to welcome the AMWAAL to our fleet, especially in a way that honours maritime tradition on the North Coast,â said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. âMarine safety is a top priority of the Prince Rupert Port Authority and we are deeply committed to ensuring that vessels transiting our waters do so in a safe and sustainable manner. As the Port of Prince Rupert continues to grow, investments in marine safety enhancements such as the addition of the AMWAAL contribute to leading edge marine safety resources at the Prince Rupert gateway.â
âThe Lax Kwâalaams Hereditary Chiefsâ Council is pleased that the Prince Rupert Port Authority is honouring our culture through not only a traditional Tsâmsyen vessel blessing, but also by choosing to name the vessel AMWAAL. We share the value of protecting our waters with the Prince Rupert Port Authority and are impressed with the marine safety enhancements the vessel brings to the North Coast,â said Smâooygit Gitxoon (Hereditary Chief Alex Campbell) of the Lax Kwâalaams Hereditary Chiefsâ Council.
For more information on PRPAâs marine operations and industry-leading approach to safety, please visit here.
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