Steve vs Justin (Pipeline)

[hobbyguy]

Yup, Burrard inlet is a shipping lane. So much shipping traffic that sailboats are not allowed to use sails between the narrows. Container ships, Tankers, Bulk carriers (coal, sulphur, grain etc.), Passenger Liners, barges, log carriers - you name it.

That obviously is NOT the shipping lane I speak of. The area of concern regarding the southern resident Orcas is however the same waters, just the other side of the imaginary line between American and Canadian waters (which the Orcas don't recognize). Note that the Cherry Point refinery has been receiving tankers from Alaska since 1971. It is located in Blaine, just across the border. Can't recall a significant tanker incident in all that time...but then the American Coast Guard has been so much better equipped, and only double hull tankers are permitted. We will now have similar capabilities, and as long as they are careful about the size limits (second narrows) and marine traffic control, there should be no issues (the very few significant modern tanker spills are usually a result of collisions).

Thus from a practical record perspective, there is very little cause for concern given that our Coast Guard is being brought up to snuff, and the American Coast Guard (and Navy) have a large presence for back up.