Maritimes Seacoast Advisory Board (MSAB)

October 2008 Meeting Minutes

A meeting of the Maritimes Seacoast Advisory Board was held October 28, 2008 at the Canadian Coast Guard Base, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. 

Item #1 - Opening Remarks

• Fritz King welcomed attendees.  Reference was made to the Levels of Service email which was sent to all members.  The draft review is available online at http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/Ccg/wm_Engagement.
• Fritz also mentioned that the National Marine Advisory Board meeting will be held on November 7, 2008.  Action: MSAB members are to provide items to Fritz.
• Nancy Hurlburt, Assistant Commissioner, Coast Guard, Maritimes Region welcomed the members to the Coast Guard Base and was pleased to introduce the Coast Guard Directors in attendance.
• It was mentioned that the Government Ship’s Officers have settled their contract negotiations but the Ship’s Crew remain unsettled.

Item #2 – Review of May 2008 Minutes

• Russel Herder is no longer sitting on the committee.  He has been replaced by Richard Danells.  Richard has also replaced Russel Herder on the MSF Working Group.
• Barb Morrisey noted that the Maritimes Coast Guard Internet site has been launched and the MSAB Minutes are found on the CCG Maritimes Region Internet Site at http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/e0003796 .  To get to the MSAB page, find and click on "Related Organizations" in the left-hand column. Click on the "Maritime Seacoast Advisory Board" link.  A page will open that describes the MSAB, its members, and is where the minutes are posted. 
• Barb noted that the statistics on Vessel Breakdown as well as the status of the vessel replacements will be presented during the meeting.
• She also informed the group that we are unable to have a presentation on the E-NAV initiative but expect it to happen at the next MSAB.

Item #3 – Atlantic Gateway Initiative

• A presentation on the Atlantic Gateway Initiative was given by Krista Spur, Senior Policy Analyst, Atlantic Gateway Initiative.
• Following the presentation, Fritz inquired “What is the message to international shipping lines that might attract/re-attract  them to Halifax Port?”  Krista emphasized that it is what they are working hard to do.
• She informed the group that they would like to make the railway more reliable; and that the Gateway includes Halifax, Sydney, Digby, Southern New Brunswick and Moncton Airport.  They are working to get all the councils working together.  Krista mentioned that they hope to continue to encourage cruise ship traffic and to have cruises homeport here as well.
• Fritz told the group that Milford Cove is still expected to get up and running despite the uncertain present economic circumstances.

Item #4 –Coast Guard Vessel Reliability 

• Mark Chin-Yee, Regional Director of Integrated Technical Services spoke to the group regarding Coast Guard vessel reliability.
• Mark mentioned that maintenance of the Coast Guard’s fleet is of key importance.  The Coast Guard has an aging fleet with the youngest ship being 18 years old and the oldest being 45 years old.  These vessels require more maintenance and cost more to run.
• Coast Guard management is investing in Fleet Renewal and the maintenance of the current fleet.  The Coast Guard works with a very small fleet which is heavily tasked.  More work is being done on the fly.  Unplanned breakdowns are affecting our program delivery.  The fleet is also adapting to changing programs. Some examples of this are the new Security Program and the changes in the size of buoys and how they are constructed. 
• Buoy tenders are not necessarily doing work they were built to do or operating in the climate they were built to serve. Mark referred to the Sir William Alexander’s trip south to help out after Hurricane Katrina. 
• The Coast Guard is changing the way it thinks about maintaining ships.  We must life-cycle manage each vessel.  More emphasis is being placed on doing the maintenance well and being pro-active.  No more “Duct Tape Solutions”.
• A Strategy Project has been implemented to address the change in the way maintenance is managed. 
• Some of the Best Practices which Integrated Technical Services is focusing on include clarifying roles, responsibilities and accountability, creating an accessible national bank of maintenance procedures, identifying options to increase Shore Engineering Officers, completing Vessel Condition Surveys at a rate of 20% each year, establishing Standard Refit Specifications for vessels by class and standardizing cataloguing of spares.
• Nancy expressed an interest to get Best Practices from industry.
• Nancy mentioned that Coast Guard is doing better but still have a long way to go.  Coast Guard is looking at each vessel individually and no longer making assumptions on the vessel’s life expectancy.  Coast Guard has less vessels and any breakdown has an impact on program delivery.
• Mark advised the group how Newfoundland Region conducted a survey of 9 or 10 companies in St. John’s, NFLD to solicit industry input on Best Practices.
• Captain Patrick Gates commented that they experienced similar problems when he was with Kent Lines.  Vessels were breaking down even though they were relatively young.  They implemented a system of monthly reporting to identify immediate issues and ongoing issues.  This reduced breakdown time and reduced refit time.

 ****The Group went to the CCGS Edward Cornwallis for a tour and then had a tour of the Coast Guard Base.

Item #5 – Vessel Planned Time vs. Program Delivered

• Anne Miller, Regional Director Operational Services spoke to the group concerning Coast Guard Program Delivery (PowerPoint presentation).
• Maritimes Region, Coast Guard has a fleet of 7 large vessels and 18 small.  The large fleet will be reduced to 6 on April 1, 2009, when the CCGS Louis S St Laurent is deployed to Newfoundland Region.  These vessels are used to deliver programs such as Conservation and Protection, DFO programs, internal CG programs and Maritime Security.
• Operational Services completes a Deployment Plan annually and are presently working on the 2009/2010 plan.  The vessels are planned to full capacity and vessels from other regions are brought in if there is an expected shortfall to meet program requirements.
• Some of the tools used to report and analyze program delivery are; Fleet Activity Information System (FAIS) which is a daily reporting system reflecting input from 2nd and 3rd Officers, Fleet Show, which shows the vessels locations and is updated daily, and the Sailing Order Database, which shows discrepancy between the Deployment Plan and the FAIS report.
• Coast Guard is very pro-active to stay operational.  Client service delivery is the focus.
• Some of the challenges facing Operational Services include an aging fleet, the fluctuating cost of fuel and the turnover in personnel.  Coast Guard has identified a need for mentoring of Junior Ship’s Officers and a need for on-the-job training.
• There were some shortfalls in Search and Rescue which were attributed to the heavy ice conditions which delayed the start-up of the lifeboat stations in the Gulf Region and the need to redeploy a large icebreaker to that Region.
• Conservation and Protection Programs were impacted by ice and mechanical issues.
• Refit time has increased to 6 weeks as compared to 4 weeks in the past.
• A need for more qualified personnel has been identified as the new vessels become operational.
• The first mid-shore patrol vessel is due in 2013 with each subsequent vessel coming out every 6 months thereafter.
• Captain Gates commented how ineffective it is to have vessels passing each other to get to shipyards in other regions.  It increases the cost of refits.
• Action:  Coast Guard will provide continuing statistics of Planned vs. Unplanned as requested by Richard Goddard. 

Item #6 – Coast Guard Update

• Nancy provided an update of Coast Guard activities.
• The Coast Guard Business Plan and HR Plan are available on the CG website. www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca
• Coast Guard has a new publication entitled “Coast to Coast to Coast”.  Action:  Copies will be distributed at the next meeting.
• National Organization Structure should be published in late December.  This should not be a big transition but it will allow us to ensure we conduct our business consistently across the Agency.
• Coast Guard is working on its Mission, Vision and Values at the national and regional levels.
• L’Acadien II Transportation Safety Board Report is expected out in late November.  The preliminary results have already been shared with the survivors and people involved.  A Search and Rescue Operational Report was not required to be done however CG asked to have it done.  The RCMP report will be made public.  It concludes that no criminal charges will be laid.
• Coast Guard regional priorities include the CG Business Plan, transfer of Terry Fox and Louis St Laurent (Fox has left, Louis to leave April 1st), Sable Island Remediation, conformance of Regional Operations Centre to comply with national model, and responding to the outcome of the Official Languages Review conducted in response to formal complaints which had been raised.
• Nancy announced that some of the Business Plan priorities which are presently being addressed are Fleet Renewal, Client Focused Priority, Levels of Service Review, Marine Services Fees, Vessel Maintenance Review, Improving Management, HR focus and supporting Green Policy Framework.
• The Maritimes Region Coast Guard Year-End Financial Report was published. Action:  Possibly present pieces at next meeting to highlight some of our accomplishments.
• Richard Danells requested some information about Marine Services Fees Working Group.  Action:  Richard will attend the next MSF Working Group meeting and give a briefing at the next MSAB.

Item #7 –Maritime Services Review

• Tim Surette, Regional Director of Maritime Services spoke to the Board about the role of Maritime Services within Coast Guard. 
• The programs under his direction include Search and Rescue, Icebreaking, Environmental Response, Aids to Navigation, Marine Communications & Traffic Services, Waterways, Regional Operations Centre, Canso Canal and Sable Island.
• Tim advised that Maritime Services is developing a Strategic Program Framework.  The objective is to better understand the management of our suite of programs and identify ways to improve them.
• The review is completed on Waterways and being done on Environmental Response.
• Nancy mentioned that there was a Levels of Service issue related to the Lobster Fishers in the Bay of Fundy.  They felt the CG was interfering with the fishery during the buoy placement this spring.  The fishers would prefer that the CG wait until the season is complete.

Item #8 – Round Table

• Garry MacCaull wanted to update the Board on his new email address, Garry.MacCaull@tc.gc.ca.  Action:  The MSAB contact list will be updated.
• The national CMAC meeting will be held the first week of November in Ottawa.
• The new Canada Shipping Act will be released 2011.  They are still finding issues and fixing nuances.
• Captain Patrick Gates advised the Board of changes which are occurring in the Saint John Pilotage area.  The boarding station will be moved 2 miles to seaward to allow more room and time as the vessels enter the harbour.
• Long Harbour and Placentia Bay will be included in the Compulsory Pilotage area.
• Bayside, NB is proposing a Reciprocity Agreement with the US but with little cooperation from the US.  This involves the Department of Foreign Affairs and a Memorandum of Understanding between Homeland Security, the State of Maine and the Pilotage Authority.
• Captain Gates also advised the Board of his retirement, planned for the end of this year.  His successor will be David Fox who will start on November 10, 2008.
• Phil Evans inquired if CG will be contracting out more fixed aids work.  The Port of Muldoon might be interested in maintaining the fixed aids in the area. Action:  Superintendent of Aids to follow-up.
• Phil inquired if there were any plans to extend the AIS coverage. Action:  Tim Surette to follow-up
• Phil was wondering if CG would consider extending the shipping season if the ice is late arriving.   He mentioned that some companies will not enter the area because they are charged icebreaking fees even when the ice has not yet arrived.
• Phil wanted to know if there is any intent for the CG to extend the CG/RCMP patrols.  Nancy explained that at this point it is only a pilot project which is being conducted in the Great Lakes.  CG does support the RCMP on a case by case basis.  Nancy suggested that perhaps he should submit his comment through the Levels of Service Review.

Item #9 – Closing Remarks

• Fritz asked the members to review the Members List and offer suggestions for additions to the list. Action:  Attach Distribution List to minutes.
• Members should share the CG website information with their constituents.
• It was decided that the next meeting will be held in March or April 2009, in either Moncton or Charlottetown.
  

Approved: Fritz King, Chair, MSAB

Date:  December 15th, 2008