Montreal, December 19, 2016 – The Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) on coordinating operations related to transportation occurrences. The agreement recognizes the benefits of cooperating to ensure navigational safety and prevent incidents and accidents from reoccurring. Each organisation will conduct investigations according to its mandate under the Pilotage Act and the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act. This increased collaboration between the LPA and the TSB will give Canadians greater peace of mind when it comes to maritime transport on the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers.
The LPA, a federal Crown corporation, is responsible for administering and providing marine pilotage services on the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers. Whether it’s the transportation of merchandise or people, maritime safety is the LPA’s main concern and priority. The TSB is an independent agency that advances transportation safety by investigating occurrences in the marine, pipeline, rail and air modes of transportation.
In light of the LPA and TSB’s common objective of ensuring maritime safety, the MOU will help them coordinate operations with a view to promoting and facilitating cooperation, consultation, and mutual assistance. This cooperation will also build positive relationships, foster the exchange of information, and encourage clear and open communication, while respecting the mandates, responsibilities and the independence of each organization.
“We are delighted with this MOU. The agreement is a positive step that will enable us to fulfil our safety mandate more effectively. Our combined efforts will ensure greater safety for Canadians on the navigable waters of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers,” said Fulvio Fracassi, Chief Executive Officer of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority.
About the Laurentian Pilotage Authority
The Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA) is a financially independent federal Crown corporation responsible for administering and providing marine pilotage and related services in the waters of the Laurentian region, in particular the St. Lawrence and the Saguenay Rivers. Its mission is to ensure navigational safety by providing efficient maritime pilotage services at a reasonable cost in collaboration with pilots and the maritime industry.
Source:
Sylvain Lachance
Senior Director of Operations
Laurentian Pilotage Authority
Telephone: 514 283-6320 ext 299
Cell: 613 720-6922
Email: sylvain.lachance@apl.gc.ca
Information (media only):
Jade Lavallée Labossière
Senior Consultant
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Telephone: 514-375-2730
Cell: 514-349-9090
Email: jade.lavallee-abossiere@hkstrategies.ca
