The HaiSea Wamis, a fully electric tugboat, has completed its voyage from a North Vancouver shipyard to its permanent home in Kitimat. This marks the arrival of the first of five vessels owned by HaiSea Marine, for what is set to become one of the world鈥檚 greenest tugboat fleets, providing escort towing services for LNG carriers at LNG Canada鈥檚 new export facility.
The journey was significant not only for the opening chapter of the company, a joint venture majority owned by the Haisla Nation in partnership with Seaspan ULC, but also for the Haisla community. A crew of eight Haisla members sailed the Wamis home, including three generations of the Ross family: deckhands Ed Ross, his stepson Craig Windsor, and grandsons Bradley Windsor and Christian Cross.
"To bring the HaiSea Wamis up the Douglas Channel and into Kitamaat Village with my family and several other Haisla members was incredibly powerful. Up until now, careers with HaiSea felt like a distant opportunity, but now the future is here and there are real careers for the next generation of Haisla mariners," said Ross.
HaiSea Marine will become fully operational in Kitimat by mid-month, when the floating operations facility and all but one of the remaining vessels arrive. The HaiSea Warrior will remain in Vancouver waters for training purposes, and is expected to sail to Kitimat by the fall.
Crystal Smith, Chief Councillor of the Haisla Nation, celebrated the Wamis鈥� arrival by likening it to a 鈥渄ream鈥� come true.
"It all became a reality as I stood with my community to welcome the HaiSea Wamis home," she said. "This marks a new chapter with HaiSea and one that will bring many opportunities to get our people back on the water, navigating the Douglas Channel as we have done for generations."
Seaspan Marine鈥檚 senior vice president, Jordan Pechie, echoed Smith鈥檚 sentiments, stating it was an "honour to bring this milestone to life."
The HaiSea fleet will comprise three ElectRA 2800 tugs, the world鈥檚 first electric harbour tugs, equipped with an innovative propulsion system tailored for LNG carrier assistance. Also joining the fleet will be two dual-fuel (LNG and diesel) RAstar 4000-DF escort tugs, touted as the most powerful on the west coast. In addition to their regular services, these vessels will also handle material and personnel transportation, marine emergency response, firefighting, and oil pollution response in the Douglas Channel.
LNG Canada鈥檚 CEO, Jason Klein, lauded the unique partnership within HaiSea Marine while celebrating the Wamis鈥� arrival. 鈥淚t鈥檚 introducing a new generation of local mariners to B.C.鈥檚 northern coast, demonstrating innovative technologies, and inspiring young individuals across the region,鈥� he said.
HaiSea Marine expects to create about 70 maritime jobs, alongside six onshore roles. With an initial contract valued at $500 million from LNG Canada, spanning 12 years, HaiSea envisions playing a pivotal role in the channel well beyond this period, aligning with its strategic objective for sustained service over several decades.