Last December 4th, a group of students from Byrne Creek Secondary in Burnaby were treated to a very special behind-the-scenes tour.
This Skills Ready tour took place in the Port of Vancouver. As the largest and most diversified port in Canada, the Port of Vancouver connects with over 170 economies around the world and extends from Roberts Bank and the Fraser River up to and including the Burrard Inlet.
The Skills Ready tour kicked off on the dock where students were greeted by tour guide Mark of Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours before the group embarked on the water-based tour.
CARGOS, TUGS AND AUTO CARRIERS
From Cargo Ships and Tugboats to Pleasure Crafts and Cruise Ships, marine safety is of utmost importance to the many who use and depend on the waterway. After a discussion introducing the various crafts using the port, the crew from Samson Tugboats treated the students to a demonstration of all the ways a tugboat can navigate the water.
TRANSPORT BY LAND
Truck and rail are the two primary ways that cargo is moved at the Port. A car carrier was being unloaded by a crew of longshoremen. The process by which the crew unloaded the carrier was particularly interesting.
INDUSTRY
The students were able to view a variety of companies that do their business on the waterway. Metal fabricators, sawmills, and cement plants are a small sample of the companies that could be seen at work along the Fraser River.
There are a vast number of career opportunities available in and around the Port of Vancouver that encompass a vast number of industries. A pair of boatyards were observed from the water and students learned the ways that carpenters, pipefitters, welders and electricians all work together to ensure that the boats they work on are ocean worthy.
The tour wrapped with a lunch and an informative presentation from 4th Utility’s Monica Standke, who shared insights into the trades industry. Overall, it was a memorable day that Skills Ready hopes to emulate in the near future.
This tour was made possible by the Mott Electric GP Legacy Fund. Thank you to Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours, our tour guide, Mark, The Vancouver Port Authority and Samson Tugboats.
