WLNG proposes a floating worker camp to house workers

Woodfibre LNG is proposing a floating worker camp—the floatel—to house a majority of its workers during the facility’s construction period.

The proposed floatel would have the capacity to house a majority of workers would be located just offshore at the project site, the company said.

The floatel will be a self-contained accommodation facility with approximately 400 to 600 beds, an on-board kitchen, recreational areas, sewage collection and holding tanks, garbage collection, and a loading dock.

Water will be recycled and waste will be carried off the vessel for disposal at a licensed facility. Clean, renewable power will be provided from BC Hydro via an existing connection at the Woodfibre site.

Woodfibre LNG has filed a proposed amendment to its Environmental Assessment Approvals, which seeks approval for the floatel.

Moving to a floating barge option for worker housing will also provide benefits including reduced highway and marine traffic and improved safety, the company said.

In addition to receiving broad public support, initial conversations have been held with local government and Squamish Nation and will continue through the amendment process, WLNG added.

“This is a project that has always put the community first,” said David Keane, President of Woodfibre LNG.  “A floatel will address concerns we’ve heard from the community over the past year about the potential impacts of using land-based camps or rental housing at a time when the Squamish market is already tight.”