Safety on the River
The primary role of Lower St. Lawrence Pilots is to ensure safe navigation.
As it happens, the Port of Quebec has become a prized destination for cruise ships. More than 60,000 cruise passengers disembark each year in Quebec, coming to visit us on magnificent ever-larger liners. When it comes to ensuring the safety of foreign tourists who come to discover the beauty of Old Quebec, the reputation of our country is literally on the line.
When it comes to safety, pilots are equally accountable to those living along the river that could affect their health or safety :
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A toxic spill |
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A stranding |
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A collision |
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A shipwreck |
In the district served by the pilots of the Lower St. Lawrence River, many municipalities draw their drinking water directly from the river :
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Sainte-Foy |
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Saint-Romuald |
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Levis |
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Environmental Safety
Every year a considerable quantity and diversity of toxic products circulates onboard ships on the St. Lawrence River.
We can all picture the devastating images of marine birds covered in heavy oil along beaches following a spill and can easily envision the harmful effects on marine life.
The banks and sea-beds of the St. Lawrence abound in unique fauna and flora which must be protected at all cost! Fortunately, day after day, the pilots of the Lower St. Lawrence River ensure the safe transit of ships along its waters.
What is more, if a pilot sees damage or deems that a ship is not in good enough condition to safely navigate, they have the obligation to advise the Canadian Coast Guard.
Economic Safety
Millions of tonnes of merchandise and raw materials are transited every year on the St. Lawrence River, destined for Canada and the United States, or to export our products overseas. Transporting merchandise on the St. Lawrence River has an economic impact in the billions of dollars.
A ship running aground or colliding with another vessel on the river would bring maritime traffic to a halt and result in losses to the economy almost impossible to count, not counting the loss in confidence to safe navigation, which would be equally damaging to our economy.
That is why, in their own way, pilots of the Lower St. Lawrence River at the helm of merchant ships help contribute to our country’s economic prosperity!
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