Floating hotel ship arrives in Nanaimo ahead of WoodFibre LNG construction project
A massive hotel ship that previously accommodated Ukrainian refugees in Estonia has arrived on Vancouver Island as it prepares to house more than 600 workers for a natural gas construction project near Squamish, B.C.
The 154-metre MV Isabelle, a so-called "floatel," or floating hotel, arrived at the Port of Nanaimo on Wednesday evening. The ship contains 652 cabins that will house workers building the Woodfibre LNG project starting this spring.
The Vancouver-based Bridgemans Services Group, which owns the ship and three similar vessels, says the MV Isabelle was outfitted in North Vancouver last month with lockers, games tables and equipment for an 8,000-square-foot onboard fitness facility.
Woodfibre LNG selected the ship in November, saying in a statement that the vessel would provide the most comfortable and sustainable accommodations for the natural gas project's non-local workforce.
"From the start, it's been a priority to make sure the construction of the Woodfibre LNG facility has as little impact on Squamish as possible," Woodfibre LNG president Christine Kennedy said in the statement.
Bridgemans acquired the ship last July and registered it as a Canadian vessel on Jan. 31, according to Transport Canada records. Prior to that, the ship served as a ferry between Latvia and Sweden before it was temporarily repurposed to house people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Port of Nanaimo spokesperson Andrea Thomas says the Canadian-flagged vessel's arrival in Nanaimo as a staging ground before its eventual departure for Squamish underscores the port's "commitment to leveraging Canadian resources and expertise."
"This vessel represents a pivotal asset in providing comfortable and accessible accommodation for the workforce involved in one of the region's most significant projects," Thomas added.
The ship has sewage and water treatment systems, industrial heat pumps, and the ability to run on shore power from the BC Hydro electricity grid, according to Bridgemans.
Once the vessel is docked at the project site, the company says it will have a crew on board at all times to inspect the ship and ensure fire, water and other safety systems meet Canadian regulations.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
For moms-to-be, it's possible to take maternity leave without breaking the bank
Pregnancy is often an exciting and anxious time for parents-to-be. And while painting the nursery and choosing a stroller are typically on the agenda, experts say preparing financially for a maternity leave can help reduce stress later on as well.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Israel orders new evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as it prepares to expand operations
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to move as it prepares to expand its operation and adding that it is also moving into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.