OLYMPICS' LOSS TO BE VIC SHIPYARDS' GAIN
Feb 8, 2010
THE CRUISE SHIP "NORWEGIAN STAR" WILL ARRIVE IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK-END FOR A TWO WEEK REFIT AT THE ESQUIMALT GRAVING DOCK.
IT'S A MILLION-DOLLAR PLUS CONTRACT, WHICH WILL PROVIDE WORK FOR ALMOST 300 PEOPLE, ACCORDING TO VICTORIA SHIPYARDS MANAGER MALCOLM BARKER. HE CALLS THE CONTRACT AN OLYMPIC-RELATED BONUS...USUALLY, CRUISE SHIPS ARE NOT IN B-C WATERS AT THIS TIME OF YEAR. THE NORWEGIAN STAR WAS COMMITTED HERE WITH THE INTENT THAT SHE WOULD BE A FLOATING HOTEL FOR VANCOUVER OLYMPIC VISITORS. WHEN THAT CONTRACT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF DEMAND, THE SHIP'S OWNERS DECIDED TO DRY-DOCK THE VESSEL FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE NOW RATHER THAN HAVING TO TAKE HER OUT OF SERVICE AT SOME POINT NEXT YEAR.
- fms
