Nanaimo Harbour Changes Coming Like It Or Not

Will The 'Flavour' Of Our Harbour Be Forever Changed?

The deal between the Port Authority headed by Mr. Dumas and a private operator is pretty much a done deal, and while the NPA will listen to concerns and try to accommodate there is no doubt the deal will be proceeding and our harbour will be changed forever. Whether history will remember that change as a positive or a negative, only time will tell.

Personally, I find strolling along the docks as they are presently set out and looking at the different working boats, smaller pleasure craft and floating restaurants a most pleasant way to spend some time. I don't see myself taking the same pleasure from looking at a flotilla of high end yachts that pretty much all look the same.

A stroll along the waterfront yesterday put the comparison into sharp focus captured in the above photo. On the left is one huge yacht which dominates the docks and the skyline and right next to them are several 'working' boats and in the foreground several small watercraft probably owned by 'regular' working folk.

I would far sooner enjoy the vista presented by the many smaller working boats and small pleasure craft as opposed to seeing a half dozen of the high-end yachts similar to the one dominating the space to the left of the above photo.

Make no mistake, the Nanaimo Port Authority is it's own little kingdom which is not subject to public opinion or political pressure. The deal which was presented to the Port Authority by the private operator can not be turned around, it may only be modified to some degree, but control over moorage rates etc. will only be dictated by market pressures, and if enough people with enough money need a place to park their yachts, they will be able to park them in Nanaimo.

You might be forgiven for wondering just exactly what the Nanaimo Port Authority is going to be doing in the not too distant future. They are overseeing a cruise ship terminal which has only a handful of customers all year long, and now they will not have to even manage the docks and associated traffic of the inner harbour. Additionaly it was not that long ago the NPA announced a deal with DP World of Vancouver to operate the cargo terminals in Nanaimo. Does that mean we can look for some staffing reductions at the Port Authority?