New navigation aids are set to be installed in British Columbia’s eastern Burrard Inlet to help vessels move through the busy Second Narrows waterway at night, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced Jan. 8.
The aids, which consist of installation of a pair of solar-powered range lights and a sector light off Berry Point, and lighting the Second Narrows Rail Bridge’s pillars, aims to improve visibility for the more than 500 cargo vessels that annually call to the seven marine terminals in the inlet.
“The new navigation aids will enhance marine safety and offer ship operators moving through the Second Narrows and terminals located in eastern Burrard Inlet more flexibility in their scheduling — in line with our role as a Canada Port Authority to oversee the safe and efficient movement of goods and vessels on port waters,” Sean Baxter, the port authority’s acting director of marine operations and harbor master, said.
“They will also boost efficiency and fluidity by allowing nighttime eastbound transits for larger ships — increasing the transit windows available for cargo vessels to move through the Second Narrows traffic control zone by up to 38%,” he remarked.
Installation is scheduled to begin this month and expected to be done in the spring. The navigation aid trial run by the Pacific Pilotage Authority and BC Coast Pilots should begin in late-April, according to the port authority.
