Inside the LNG 'floatel' cruise ship that Squamish, B.C., won’t allow
A 35,000-tonne cruise ship that been that’s been converted into temporary accommodations for LNG workers at great expense remains anchored in Vancouver’s harbour.
Woodfibre Liquified Natural Gas spent $100 million retrofitting the so-called “floatel,” and had hoped it would be moored near Squamish by now.
But the District of Squamish council denied the company the temporary use permit that’s needed to bring the ship in.
“The floatel is a direct response to requests from the District of Squamish and the Squamish Nation,” said Woodfibre LNG president Christine Kennedy.
Media were given a tour of the 652 guest room vessel, where its features like onboard sewage and water treatment systems, restaurants, gym, sports bar, stage and recreation centres were showcased with great enthusiasm.
By housing all employees who do not live in Squamish, and will not be allowed into town, Kennedy argued the floatel has addressed all traffic, safety, housing and environmental concerns raised by council.
There is even a gender safety advisory committee.
“We've trained over 1,000 people on site, from employees right through to construction workers, and cleaning crews,” said Deanna Lewis, who is on the team.
But the mayor of Squamish told CTV News that the conditions proposed by Woodfibre LNG have yet to satisfy everyone on council.
“So any future actions, I would assume, would to aim to address that. But at this point the ball is in the proponent’s court,” said Armand Hurford.
The Isabelle X is owned and operated by Bridgemans Service Group. The company insists it’s now a world-class vessel that meets or exceeds all Canadian standards.
“Our floatels are self-contained, our floatels are their own ecosystem, our floatels are the perfect solution,” said president Brian Grange.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
China lands spacecraft on the moon amid growing space rivalry with U.S.
A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.