By Dominic Abassi

Firms hired to review potential fast ferry operators

Aug 4, 2016 | 4:15 PM

NANAIMO — Another step forward in the plodding process of finding a passenger-only fast ferry operator for Nanaimo.

Bernie Dumas, president of the Nanaimo Port Authority, says two firms have been hired to complete an extensive review of the three companies that have expressed interest in setting up the Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver service.

Dumas says accounting firm Ernst and Young and marine consultants Gordon Houston Associates have been selected.

He says the consultants are expected to be in Nanaimo Thursday to meet with officials from the Port, city of Nanaimo and Snuneymuxw First Nation to get an idea of what type of service is wanted for the community.

The three local partners will be providing some criteria for the consultants to use when they review the three potential operators, but it will largely be up to them to decide a system to analyze the applicants, according to Dumas.

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The consultants will then begin their work, performing in-depth reviews of both the financial and marine operations of the three operators that responded to the Expression of Interest sent out at the end of March.

Island Ferry Services Ltd., Clipper Navigation and Riverside Marine came forward during that process, which ended on May 31.

Dumas says they are expecting a recommendation on a preferred provider by October, but he did note, if the consultants need more time, then that will be granted.

Once a recommendation has been put forward, Dumas says a negotiation process will follow. However, there is no obligation that the city, port and Snuneymuxw has to move forward with the company recommended by the consultant.

The three local parties will be taking a very hands-off approach to the review process, according to Dumas.

He says he didn’t want there to be a perception that anyone picked anyone at the end of the process, noting the need to steer around the perception of bias because some of the proponents at the table had been involved in previous dialogue.

No budget has been set for the consulting work, with Dumas saying they will be billing on a per hour basis and the costs will be shared between the port and city.

Dumas says he’s aware that people are wanting the passenger ferry service installed faster, but from the port’s perspective there is no immediate rush and they want to get it right.

“We’re conscious of past failures, we want to do it right and go forward with an operator that will do this for a long time.”

A recap of recent history in the long-standing bid to install a passenger ferry between Nanaimo and Vancouver:

June 2014 – The city announces the signing of a lease agreement with Island Ferry Services for downtown waterfront land. That deal was expected to lead to the construction of a terminal.

August 2014 – Island Ferries submits a development permit for a temporary terminal on the “GADD” site downtown.

September 2014 – Island Ferries leads a campaign to get federal funding to help their efforts and submits a building permit for their terminal.

March 31, 2015 – A lease agreement between the city and Island Ferries expires because the deadline to establish service was missed. The company expresses an interest in extending the lease under the same terms.

September 2015 – Then Courtenay-Alberni MP John Duncan pledges a re-elected Tory government will fund the Nanaimo fast ferry project. Duncan went on to lose his seat to the NDP’s Gord Johns.

November 2, 2015 – Representatives from Island Ferry Services Ltd. provide a verbal update to council on their efforts during an “in-camera” meeting. Marshall later reveals it was at this time their company informed Nanaimo council they had secured the necessary funding to start their passenger ferry service.

November 27, 2015 – The Nanaimo Port Authority announces they are going to begin looking for a proponent. After consultations with mid-island communities, president Bernie Dumas says the plan is to issue a request for proposals early in 2016.

November 30, 2015 – David Marshall, Island Ferries director of operations, spends 31 minutes discussing the status of their proposal with council during an “in-camera” meeting. No details of the discussion are included in released minutes.

December 7, 2015 – During an “in-camera” meeting, Council directs staff to terminate the MOU with Island Ferries and begin working with the Port Authority on a joint RFP for a passenger ferry. Mayor McKay and Councillor Brennan were opposed.

March 31, 2016 – The city of Nanaimo, in concert with the Port Authority and Snuneymuxw, announce the start of an Expression of Interest to seek a passenger ferry operator. The EOI is open until May 31.

April 4, 2016 – Island Ferries’ David Marshall expresses concern with the EOI process, saying the wording in the document appeared to exclude their operation. He also cites concerns that the port and city already have detailed information on their proposal and that could be used to evaluate new responses.

June 2, 2016 – The city announces three firms, Island Ferries, Riverside Marine and Clipper Navigation, responded to the EOI.