Langdale Float Closure

[ferryrider]

A Copy of the following email was sent to residence of Gambier Island regarding access to Langdale via boat.

IT seems BCF has a double standard, they want people to drop off passengers for their service, only if that drop off is provided in a road based vehicle, but if people live on an Island like Gambier, they want to shut down the only access they have.

Considering Hopkins or Gibsons as realistic demonstrate how out of touch BCF really is.


> BC Ferries attends the Sunshine Coast Emergency Planning
> Committee and we
> have discussed the matter of access to the Stormaway Route 13
> Dock. The
> committee has discussed that Hopkins Landing or Gibson's is a
> better choice,
> we were additionally advised that the preference is to send
> medical teams to
> Gambier and Keats rather than have patients transported in
> private vessels
> at night.
>
>
>
> We continue to look into procedures to provide access to commercially
> registered water taxis. Access for customers arriving off Route
> 13 may be
> different than customers arriving for their first sailing of the day,
> therefore we need to work with Transport Canada to see how this
> will work.
> The minimum requirement that I can foresee would be that advance
> arrangements are made; we will not be able to accept adhoc water
> taxi'swithout prior arrangements or private vessels at any time.
> As we learn more
> about this I will contact the commercial operators that are
> known to BC
> Ferries.
>
>
>
> Thanks again for your interest in this topic,
>
>
>
> Jason
>
>
>
> Jason M. Bowman, B.Comm., MBA
> Regional Director, Terminal Operations
> Horseshoe Bay & Langdale
> British Columbia Ferry Services, Inc.
> Tel: [phone]
> Cell: [phone]
> <mailto:[e-mail]>

[Dane]

BC Ferries has said the Langdale float needs to be closed to private traffic (individual's boats) by 15 Oct 09 to meet Transport Canada MARSEC regulations. Of note is the fact that MARSEC doesn't actually require the immediate closing of the float. This decision though, has been coming down the pipe for some time and there has been general inaction on all the involved parties for quite some time. Although the money BCFS is offering to assist the building of a new float is essentially nothing, their offer of land use is generous (in my opinion, of course).

Here are some notes recently distributed on the topic by the "West Howe Sound Access Committee" who essentially exist to keep the float open. You'll note there is also mention to another Langdale Access group, it's all the same.

SCRD = Sunshine Coast Regional District

--

Summary of Notes from a Conversation with Rob Clarke,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, B.C. Ferries

On September 25, Joseph Wright, Chairman of the Langdale Access Working Group, talked with Mr. Rob Clarke about the status of the alternative options to the proposed closing of the B.C. Ferries (BCF) Langdale dock to public access. The following points summarize the
highlights of the conversation.

• The decision to close the Langdale dock to public access was made for two primary reasons, security, driven by new Marine Transportation Security Regulations from Transport Canada, and by safety related to issues around small boat proximity to the
Horseshoe Bay/Langdale ferries, primarily the Queen of Surrey. It followed years of frustration on the part of Mr. Clarke by his lack of response from the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) on his desire to find an alternative to public use of the Langdale dock.

• BCF has been sensitized to the significant impact closure of the Langdale dock would have on the public, particularly the island communities, and has made an offer to SCRD to allow free access to the Langdale terminal property for an alternative dock to be
constructed and maintained by the SCRD. As an indication of their desire to be cooperative on developing a solution, BCF has voluntarily done some of the concept work for a new dock, and has provided this to the SCRD (the schematic included in the recent report by Brian Sagman to the SCRD Infrastructure Services Committee was part of this).

• Mr. Clarke has written a letter to the SCRD (August 12, 2009, Robert Clarke to John France) summarizing the requirements of BCF for this project to proceed. It included some indemnification requirements by BCF, a few of which may be challenging to the SCRD. Mr. Clarke was sensitive to this and was willing to consider some modifications based on feedback to be received from the SCRD in writing. A specific example was the requirement for individual release of liability by all users which may be difficult to implement and manage. As of September 25, Mr. Clarke had not received a written response from the SCRD.

• At this point Mr. Clarke understands that the scope of the project would be contained within an estimate of approximately $40-$50k for an engineering study, and $500k for capital expenditures for the dock.

• BCF is not prepared to relax the deadline of October 15th for closure of the Langdale dock. However, Mr. Clarke is sensitive to the challenges faced by SCRD with respect to obtaining funding from at least two levels of government, potential approval of the
project by the Areas within the SCRD that would be required to contribute to the costs of the engineering study, and approvals of other bodies, e.g., the Department of Oceans and Fisheries, Environment Canada, the First Nations groups and others. He was also aware that the proposed completion deadline of July 2010 might be challenging given the above list of approvals. Therefore, BCF was willing to consider extension of the October 15th deadline on a milepost by milepost basis, as long as progress was demonstrably being made. At any point along the way, if a milepost was not achieved, Mr. Clarke would reserve his right to close the Langdale dock to public access. In order to proceed, BCF has several requirements that must be fulfilled prior to October 15th.

They are:

1. Receipt of a list of mileposts from the SCRD.
2. Confirmation of the SCRD commitment to proceed with this project, and confirmation of the approach including an estimated $40-$50k expenditure for engineering studies.
3. Confirmation by the SCRD on the conditions listed in Schedule “A” of the August 12, 2009 letter from Rob Clarke to Mr. John France, SCRD. This does include the possibility of modifying some of the conditions that may be too strong for the SCRD, but requires their feedback with alternatives.
4. Installation of marker buoys delineating the channel for the separation of the BCF ferries and public boaters. This could be the first milepost. Mr. Clarke, when pressed as to why the SCRD should provide marker buoys for what would appear to be a BCF safety issue, responded that they would only be required if there was a dock that would be used by the public in the vicinity of the current Langdale Route 13 dock. As a result, the buoys were really part of the SCRD alternative dock solution. He did agree that if the SCRD wanted BCF to install the buoys he would do so but the costs would be deducted from the $25k commitment of funding towards this project from BCF.

• Mr. Clarke commented on the two initial drivers for the BCF decision to close the dock. The first, security, would be reasonably addressed by the location of a new dock approximately 12 meters west of the existing dock. This apparently was enough to
satisfy the MARSEC requirements although Mr. Clarke was not able to be specific about what the blast zone requirements actually were. He would prefer a somewhat larger separation but was aware of the constraints posed by the shallow beach to the west of
the current dock. As far as BCF was concerned, the second issue, safety, would be adequately addressed by the presence of marker buoys delineating the ferry channel from the public boater channel.

• As a final comment, Mr. Clarke reiterated that he must have a written response from the SCRD prior to the October 15th deadline, or he would unilaterally close the Langdale dock to public access. He added that he would be out of the country from October 6th to
14th and that it would be very helpful if he could receive the SCRD response prior to October 6th. In closing I thanked Mr. Clarke for his very helpful comments and offered the continuing support of the Langdale Access Working Group towards developing and implementing a solution to the impact of the proposed Langdale dock closure.

--

The Langdale Access Working Group (LAWG) continues to try to head off closure of public use of the Langdale small-boat float. (BC Ferries’ October 15 deadline is fast approaching.) There has been some good progress towards resolution of issues. BC Ferries has now indicated a willingness to extend the deadline IF there is measurable progress by the SCRD towards financing, planning and building a new small-boat float within an agreed time-frame, with specific milestones (critical dates). The first of these milestones is installation of marker buoys for small boats to follow when approaching Langdale’s small-boat float.

Attached to this email are notes covering a recent conversation between Joe Wright, Chair of LAWG, and Rob Clarke, Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer of BC Ferries. They give a good summary of the current situation and suggest the steps that the SCRD needs to start almost immediately, to keep the Stormaway float open until a replacement float is in place next year. The LAWG has already sent these notes to SCRD board members and to senior staff as well.

Many of you have been asking us if there is something you personally can do to help keep access open. We believe it is now time to add your voices by encouraging the SCRD board to move forward as quickly as possible.

There is an important SCRD Infrastructure Committee meeting on October 8th at 1:30pm (a week from Thursday), and we would like as many people as possible to contact certain key SCRD board members before that meeting with messages emphasizing the urgency of action on this issue. You can participate by sending email or a letter. Or, if you’re in the area, attending the meeting in Sechelt is even better.

We show a suggested message below. If you own property in Area F (this includes Gambier and Keats), please send your email/letter to Lee Turnbull, our local director, who has been spearheading this initiative at the SCRD.

If you live or work in the Town of Gibsons, please address it to Mayor Barry Janyk as he sits on the SCRD Infrastructure Committee as well. We particularly want to encourage him to support our cause.

If you do not own property within the SCRD yourself, but support the cause, please address your encouragement to Gary Nohr, Chair of the Infrastructure Committee of the SCRD. He is the director from Area B, Halfmoon Bay, and very supportive of our cause.

Whoever you write to, it will help to also send a copy of your message to the chair of the whole SCRD, Donna Shugar, who has also been very helpful.

[Dane]

The Langdale Access Working Group is pleased to bring you news of progress on the proposed closing of the BC Ferries Langdale small-boat float to public use. On October 5th, during a teleconference call organized through our local MP, John Weston, both he and Rob Clarke, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of BC Ferries along with representatives of the SCRD and LAWG reviewed progress on plans for the proposed alternative dock.

* Requests for capital funding have been sent to the federal and provincial governments.
* BC Ferries has agreed that the proposed new dock could be installed west of the existing Langdale float, and access from the dock would connect to the covered walkway leading to the car park.
* The next significant step will be a meeting of BC Ferries, SCRD and LAWG in the next week or so. Our combined objective is to lay out the mileposts for the project, confirm details of the agreement between BC Ferries and the SCRD, and summarize progress on the engineering and environmental inputs required for the project.
* Rob Clarke announced that in view of the progress made to date by the SCRD he was pleased to extend the proposed closure deadline from October 15th to November 30th. It is to be hoped that if further progress has been made by then, BC Ferries may be willing to consider yet another extension.
* A summary of the teleconference was published by the Coast Reporter on October 9th and is attached to this message.

Progress on the new Langdale dock proposal was also discussed at the SCRD Infrastructure and Services Committee meeting on October 8th. The key message is that the SCRD Board has authorized SCRD staff to proceed with the project. Good news is that the direct connection of the dock to the BC Ferries walkway is expected to lower the initial cost estimates for the project. Completion of the cost estimates following the engineering study is a necessary condition for the grant proposals to both federal and provincial governments. Estimates of the long term capital and operating costs for the SCRD will be finalized once the results of the engineering study have been received.

We will continue to be actively involved in developing the plans to deliver a new SCRD small boat float for use by West Howe Sound private boat and water taxi passengers. Our Group’s inclusion in the process is a positive outcome, and is a result of the strong support received from the public who participated in our petition. Your input, particularly the statistics on Langdale dock usage survey, have been instrumental in moving this project forward. Thank you for your continued support. We will keep you informed on the progress.



Joe Wright, Chair

West Howe Sound - Langdale Access Working Group

[Low Light Mike]

Oct 13, 2009 23:30:17 GMT -8 Dane said:

The Langdale Access Working Group is pleased to bring you news of progress on the proposed closing of the BC Ferries Langdale small-boat float to public use.

Thanks for your update Dane. Are you working with this group? or is the entire post a cut/paste? just curious.

Your post says that lots of people are "pleased", so hopefully that's a good sign that something will be resolved that makes all sides happy with most of the outcome.

[Dane]

It's all copy and paste. I was living on Keats Island this summer so got on all (three) local e mail lists. This has been a very well organized movement to keep the float open. Major networks formed on Keats, Gambier, and The Coast. Generally Gambier is fairly organized, however, Keats has not been. This plus another initiative started three years ago has really pulled the Islanders together, from most accounts.

[Curtis]

An update to the Langdale Float. Its use is now extended from November 30th through January 31st.
More Info Here: www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=149141

[Dane]

Word on the street is that a dock (as in the physical structure) is now out for tender by SCRD.

[Low Light Mike]

Dec 6, 2009 18:50:18 GMT -8 Dane said:

Word on the street is that a dock (as in the physical structure) is now out for tender by SCRD.

Not yet.

See this page for current out-for-tender projects:
www.scrd.ca/index.php?page_id=209

[D'Elete BC in NJ]

Dec 6, 2009 19:16:07 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

Dec 6, 2009 18:50:18 GMT -8 Dane said:

Word on the street is that a dock (as in the physical structure) is now out for tender by SCRD.

Not yet.

See this page for current out-for-tender projects:
www.scrd.ca/index.php?page_id=209

I think what might be happening right now is a budgetary tender, sent out to a limited number of contractors/engineering firms, and will only be used to establish the preliminary budget. This budget will then be used to secure funding and receive voter approval. If you read this summary of SCRD business from October, Dane's rumour in the wind makes sense given this context.

[Dane]

That sounds correct; it's actually out to one specific firm right now I believe (for design options only). They do the Provincial Park docks in the area, that's how I got wind of it.

[Low Light Mike]

Here's the picture on the dock, as seen on December 10, 2009:




(the dock is part of the ferry terminal and so it's part of a public asset.)

[Low Light Mike]

News story from Coast Reporter:

Float remains open

February 2,2010
Brent Richter/Staff Writer

Keats and Gambier island residents can breath easy knowing they will still have access to the float at B.C. Ferries’ Langdale terminal while negotiations continue with the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).

B.C. Ferries announced the extension “until further notice” in a service notice on Friday, Jan. 29. B.C. Ferries was set to close access to the float on Jan. 31.

“The two parties are working together,” said Deborah Marshall, B.C. Ferries director of media relations. “We extended it until further notice. When we get better time parameters we can update people. We felt it was important to let those folks know they are able to continue to use it beyond the previous deadline of Jan 31.”

Brian Sagman, SCRD manager of transportation and facilities, has been negotiating with B.C. Ferries trying to find options that will allow island residents to continue accessing the facility but it seems the best option is building a new float at a new location somewhere close to the current one.

Before the issue can be fully resolved, the SCRD still needs to do a public consultation process, design a new dock, conduct an environmental review, get approval from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, get SCRD board approval and then finally ink a deal with B.C. Ferries and build the new dock.

“We’ve worked out a general timeline that we think we could complete the construction by the end of the year, if we keep moving forward,” Sagman said.

from here: www.coastreporter.net/article/20100202/SECHELT0101/302029870/-1/SECHELT/float-remains-open

[Low Light Mike]

News on this matter:

For Immediate Release
11-067 December 20, 2011

BC FERRIES TO INSTALL PUBLIC FLOAT AT LANGDALE TERMINAL

Boaters will be temporarily restricted from accessing existing float from January 9 – 22, 2012 during installation of new float


VICTORIA – BC Ferries will install a public float at the Langdale terminal for use by private boaters in January 2012, after the busy holiday season.

During the installation of the public float, access to BC Ferries’ float will be restricted to the MV Stormaway only, which provides water taxi service to Gambier and Keats islands. Private boaters will not be permitted to access to BC Ferries’ float from January 9 – 22, 2012.

For many years the public has had access to the Stormaway float to drop-off and pick-up passengers from the Langdale terminal. The Company has had long standing safety and security concerns about this arrangement and is addressing the issue by installing a new float for use by the public. BC Ferries and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) are in the final stages of negotiating a license agreement with a 20-year term and a renewal option for a further 10 years pursuant to which the SCRD pays an annual license fee and, in return, is granted the right to use and access the float.

A security gate separating the public float from the Stormaway float will be open during operational hours at the Langdale terminal. This gate, along with the shoreside gate linking the passenger gangway to the shore, will be closed prior to and following the departure of the Langdale - Horseshoe Bay ferry. The gate will be closed after hours, as well as in the event Transport Canada increases the Marine Security (MARSEC) level. However, emergency access can be facilitated through British Columbia Ambulance Service.

“BC Ferries has been working with the Sunshine Coast Regional District, the Gambier - Keats Ferry Advisory Committee and other community groups for several years now regarding the float, and I’m pleased we are nearing a final resolution that will work for everyone,” said Rob Clarke, BC Ferries’ EVP and CFO. “After many months, it will be good to have this issue behind us.”

Installation of the new float is not expected to impact the schedules of the Langdale – Horseshoe Bay ferry and the Gambier – Keats water taxi. The new float is expected to open to the public on January 23, 2012. When the new float opens, boaters are reminded to use caution while
accessing the terminal and to steer clear of the ferries and the water taxi.

from here:
www.bcferries.com/bcferries/faces/attachments?id=579231

[lmtengs]

Hot off the press from BCF:

BC FERRIES TO INSTALL PUBLIC FLOAT AT LANGDALE TERMINAL

Boaters will be temporarily restricted from accessing existing float
from January 9 – 22, 2012 during installation of new float.

VICTORIA – BC Ferries will install a public float at the Langdale terminal for use by private boaters in January 2012, after the busy holiday season. During the installation of the public float, access to BC Ferries’ float will be restricted to the MV Stormaway only, which provides water taxi service to Gambier and Keats islands. Private boaters will not be permitted to access to BC Ferries’ float from January 9 – 22, 2012.

For many years the public has had access to the Stormaway float to drop-off and pick-up passengers from the Langdale terminal. The Company has had long standing safety and security concerns about this arrangement and is addressing the issue by installing a new float for use by the public. BC Ferries and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) are in the final stages of negotiating a license agreement with a 20-year term and a renewal option for a further 10 years pursuant to which the SCRD pays an annual license fee and, in return, is granted the right to use and access the float.

A security gate separating the public float from the Stormaway float will be open during operational hours at the Langdale terminal. This gate, along with the shoreside gate linking the passenger gangway to the shore, will be closed prior to and following the departure of the Langdale – Horseshoe Bay ferry. The gate will be closed after hours, as well as in the event Transport Canada increases the Marine Security (MARSEC) level. However, emergency access can be facilitated through British Columbia Ambulance Service.

“BC Ferries has been working with the Sunshine Coast Regional District, the Gambier - Keats Ferry Advisory Committee and other community groups for several years now regarding the float, and I’m pleased we are nearing a final resolution that will work for everyone,” said Rob Clarke, BC Ferries’ EVP and CFO. “After many months, it will be good to have this issue behind us.”

Installation of the new float is not expected to impact the schedules of the Langdale – Horseshoe Bay ferry and the Gambier – Keats water taxi. The new float is expected to open to the public on January 23, 2012. When the new float opens, boaters are reminded to use caution while accessing the terminal and to steer clear of the ferries and the water taxi.

[Neil]

Great Minds Think Alike, or perhaps one for the Unlikely Coincidence Hall of Fame; two people posting the same story about the Langdale public float, within one minute of each other.

[Low Light Mike]

Dec 20, 2011 10:59:55 GMT -8 Neil said:

Great Minds Think Alike, or perhaps one for the Unlikely Coincidence Hall of Fame; two people posting the same story about the Langdale public float, within one minute of each other.

I'm just thankful that Tim Tebow gave me the strength to get the story posted first.
- Viking will learn the sad-news, when he next checks this thread..... ;D

[lmtengs]

Dec 20, 2011 11:05:13 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

Dec 20, 2011 10:59:55 GMT -8 Neil said:

Great Minds Think Alike, or perhaps one for the Unlikely Coincidence Hall of Fame; two people posting the same story about the Langdale public float, within one minute of each other.

I'm just thankful that Tim Tebow gave me the strength to get the story posted first.
- Viking will learn the sad-news, when he next checks this thread..... ;D

I'll be in my little corner of death and sadness, crying myself to sleep for not posting the release one minute earlier.

...or on second thought, I think I'll run downstairs and make myself a greek salad. ;D