The facts about LNG vessels

In response to “With LNG, Maine ought to fight for fishermen’s rights” by Mark Wren (Jan. 11):

Mr. Wren comes to many conclusions concerning LNG in our area based on inaccurate facts. Perhaps, if he was aware of the correct information, he might come to a different conclusion. Mr. Wren states that “Our developers are pushing two sites in tiny Passamaquoddy Bay.”

“Tiny” Passamaquoddy Bay is in fact 11 nautical miles from Gleason Point in Perry to Oven Head near Digdeguash, N.B. Only one site is in Passamaquoddy Bay; the other is in Western Passage.

Mr. Wren states: “LNG tankers will be passing in and out of the bay on a daily basis.”

In fact this depends on the demand for LNG at various times of the year. Downeast LNG estimates one ship in Robbinston (i.e., Passamaquoddy Bay) every five days at peak demand and one ship every 10 days at slack demand periods.

Mr. Wren states: “The LNG cargo vessels are expected to be at least 1,700 feet in length and at least 250 feet wide.”

In fact there is not one ship in the world (let alone an LNG ship) that is 1,700 feet in length. The average LNG ship running today (there are approximately 190 working LNG ships worldwide) carries 135,000 to 150,000 cubic meters of LNG. These ships are at most 950 feet long, not 1,700 feet, and we have had many ship calls at Eastport of cargo ships in the 852-foot range.

Mr. Wren states: “There will be four or five ocean-going diesel tugs involved in moving each LNG tanker in and out of the bay and up to Perry and Robbinston.”

In fact there will be three or four tugs, not five, working each LNG carrier. These “ocean-going” tugs are actually designed as dock assist tugs usually 92 to 98 feet long. By contrast, the current “harbor” tug Ahoskie used at Eastport is 109 feet long.

Mr. Wren states: “These LNG tankers draft 55 feet when loaded and the terminal pier for Robbinston is stuck out into the bay 4,300 feet.”

In fact no LNG carrier in the world has a draft of 55 feet. All have a draft less than 12 meters (39.4 feet). By contrast, many cargo ships calling at Eastport and at Bayside, N.B., have drafts in excess of 39.4 feet. The terminal pier for Robbinston is designed at 3,862 feet.

Mr. Wren states that “Dean Girdis of Downeast LNG has tried to compare the LNG tankers to the passage of cargo vessels docking at Bayside, N.B., to fill up with gravel and stone. These vessels are approximately 280 feet long and most times do not use the Head Harbor passage for transit.” In fact the ships calling at Bayside for gravel and stone are 650 feet long and all ships calling at Bayside always use Head Harbor passage for transit.

Mr. Wren states that “this route is in Canadian waters and involves all these small fishing towns.” In fact the route to Robbinston is about 50 percent each in Canadian and United States waters.

Mr. Wren states: “Our representatives on all levels seem to be nonexistent.”

In fact we have attended over 20 meetings concerning LNG, and at every meeting some official from either the towns, the tribe, Washington County, many state of Maine agencies and organizations, U.S. agency federal officials and elected representatives, or Canadian government agencies have been in attendance. At some meetings officials from all of the above agencies were present.

Mr. Wren states: “I realize that there will be the potential of jobs on the tugs for some U.S. fishermen, but what about the people who have made a living on the bay for generations?”

In fact there will be about 40 people hired for the tug and pilot boat operations for each project plus the shore side dispatch and maintenance personnel. The crews will most likely work week on, week off. There is a full benefits and vacation package, and according to FOSS tugs the pay rates will be from $60,000 to $110,000, depending on position. When both projects are built, just the tug operation will require about 80 high-paying jobs, and the necessary training will be provided.

We have been ship pilots at Eastport for 20 and 30 years respectively. We would be happy to discuss the marine side of the LNG plans in our area with Mr. Wren or anyone else on either side of the border (as we have on many occasions) so that opinions formed (either pro or con) can be based on factual data.

Capt. Gerald Morrison of Perry is a member of the Eastport Pilots Association, Perry. Capt. Robert J. Peacock II of Eastport is a member of Quoddy Pilots USA.