The 20th BC Tugboat Industry Conference was held May 23-25, 2013 in Victoria, BC.

According to BC Shipping News, in addition to a retrospective of the industry – including presentations from Allan Fowlis (retired, Seaspan) who gave personal insights into the industry in its characters, and Leo Stradiotti (North Arm Transportation) who presented a pictoral of BC tugs from old to new – speakers such as Robert G.Allan (Robert Allan Ltd.), Fred Denning (BC Coast Pilots Ltd.), Malcolm McLaren (Allied Shipbuilders) and Frans Tjallingii (SMIT Marine Canada) each provided a unique perspective on aspects of the industry from technological developments to the relationship to pilots to towage and salvage in the international arena.

BC Shipping News adds that attendees also heard from Marc Grégoire, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard; Donald Roussel, Director General, Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security; and Marcel Laroche, Manager, Marine, Lloyd's Register - with each in turn looking at the regulatory aspects of the tug industry.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the Legacy Award to Peter Woodward, a long-standing member of the marine industry in British Columbia.

Source: BC Shipping News