204 tonnes of steel, 2,000 annual plants, 17,000 lights on 23 vessels, six duck ramps, 30 different cruise ships, and one emissions inventory

Dec. 16, 2019, Victoria, BC, Canada – The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) team have compiled the organization’s top moments from 2019, providing an opportunity to reflect on a busy and successful year.

GVHA’s top moments from 2019:

  1. At 3.05 metres (10’) wide, 64 metres (203’) long, and weighing 204 tonnes, the steel for the Pier B mooring dolphin extension (finally) arrived at the Victoria Cruise Terminal. The $6.8 million project is the largest in the organization’s history.
  2. The detailed emissions inventory for Ogden Point, conducted by Synergy Enterprises, provided data for GVHA to move forward and develop a business case for shore power at the Victoria Cruise Terminal. The report showed that, in 2018, greenhouse gas emissions from the terminal were equivalent to 3,241 cars on the road per year.
  3. Six mallard duckling ramps were installed at the organization’s four Inner Harbour marinas.
  4. 30 different cruise ships made a total of 256 cruise ship calls, welcoming 709,042 passengers to Victoria.
  5. Following six months of construction, GVHA and the City of Victoria celebrated the completion of the joint $1.8-million Ship Point repair project.
  6. The eight millionth cruise passenger arrived at the Victoria Cruise Terminal on May 17.
  7. The annual Clean up the Shores event in partnership with Vic PD saw 55 volunteers collect more than 300 pounds of trash from the harbour shoreline in two hours. While the number is down from 2018, all parties agreed that this is a positive step toward a cleaner harbourfront.
  8. 1% of GVHA’s operating revenue continues to be dedicated to First Nations initiatives, including the Lekwungen Career Fair, the Esquimalt Nation Summer Program, and the Indigenous Cultural Festival.
  9. Close to 2,000 people visited the annual World Oceans Day at Fisherman’s Wharf, a joint event held with Eagle Wing Tours.
  10. More than 3,100 pleasure craft visited the Inner Harbour marinas.
  11. The organization unveiled a new placemaking and branding initiative for the Ogden Point facility, introducing The Breakwater District at Ogden Point.
  12. 2,000 annual plants were placed in the Welcome to Victoria garden sign in the Inner Harbour.
  13. In a ceremony, the commercial loading dock in the Inner Harbour was renamed in honour of Jeanne Socrates and is now known as the Jeanne Socrates Dock.
  14. More than 450,000 people visited the Ogden Point Breakwater, a community asset that GVHA is proud to steward for all to enjoy.
  15. Fisherman’s Wharf introduced compostable sales for all food vendors and a shift to organic recycling, which reduces general waste by 90%.
  16. The Breakwater Barge welcomed more than 6,500 people to the Friday Nights on the Barge.
  17. In-kind sponsorship of community events on GVHA properties totalled more than $65,000.
  18. GVHA became a Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Progressive Aboriginal Relations program committed member.
  19. 17,000 lights shone brightly on 23 vessels while guests enjoyed the 900 cups of cocoa that were served during the Marina Light Up.

About the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to the stewardship and sustainable growth of Victoria’s dynamic working harbour. GVHA owns and operates several high-profile community amenities including The Breakwater, Inner Harbour lower causeway, and customs dock at Raymur Point. Within GVHA’s commercial and marine industrial holdings are The Breakwater District at Ogden Point, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ship Point, four Inner Harbour marinas, and the historic Steamship Terminal. GVHA’s management of the Victoria Cruise Terminal contributes more than $130 million annually to the regional economy and is responsible for 800 direct and indirect jobs in Greater Victoria. For more information, visit www.gvha.ca.

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