THE FIRST NARROWS LIONS GATE BRIDGE

by Jacqui Birchall

(Click photos to enlarge)
My daily walks take me under the First Narrows Lions Gate Bridge and I am constantly fascinated by the velocity of the opposing tides and the stormy water under the bridge.

What, I wondered, created such water velocity, such rough waters? Research on the topic lead me to the Facebook Page “BC Coastal Mariners” for some excellent information from various members.

A cruise ship makes its way beneath the First Narrows Lions Gate Bridge.

Two tides a day come from Indian Arm and Port Moody. They clash as they converge with tides coming in from The Straight of Georgia and water movement from the Capilano River. The narrowness of the passage under the First Narrows Lions Gate Bridge forces a lot of powerful water into a relatively small space.

Sometimes wind opposed to the currents can make for standing waves, a washing machine like effect, an effect which makes me glad I am not navigating those waters in a small vessel.

I frequently see Port of Vancouver vessels turning small vessels away from the bridge. The Port of Vancouver provided me with the information regarding which vessels can navigate under the bridge.

The zone that incorporates the passage of vessels under the bridge and into the Port of Vancouver is called The First Narrows Traffic Control Zone, TCZ-1.

The protected zone starts some distance west of the bridge. Imagine a line from Ferguson Point to the Capilano Light. Vessels involved in fishing, including crab-by-trap, personal water craft such as jet skis, row boats, canoes, and vessels sailing or those proceeding without mechanical power are not allowed in TCZ-1. I heard about a skipper under sail as they passed beneath the bridge. A deafening, speaker-projected voice descended from the bridge ordering the sail down and the motor on.

Which vessels have priority when entering the Port of Vancouver? Well, big ones!

Tier 1 vessels have priority. They are all piloted vessels regardless of tonnage, all non-piloted tug and barge combinations with a barge of 10,000 tonnes or more carrying capacity, all non-piloted vessels including barges and articulated tugs and barges when in product.

Of these, first priority is given to a vessel whose draft or air draft tidal window is closing, (i.e. size related to depth of water). Second priority is given to a tanker 185 metres. in length overall or greater and/or 40,000 tonnes in product. Maximum length allowed in the Port of Vancouver is 400 metres. Third priority is cruise ships.

Speed limit for the above vessels is 9 knots, or 7 when tethered to a tug.

Tier 2 vessels include pleasure craft that meet the port requirements.

NOTES & SNAPSHOTS

Vancouver Police keep an eye on the crowd at the Tuesday night drum circle.

EYES ON THE DRUM CIRCLE: Since the recent attack on the lifeguards during the Tuesday night drum circle, police and park rangers have been in attendance at Third Beach on Tuesday nights.

VOLUNTEER CLEAN-UP CREWS: I ran into a charming group of folks from Manual Life Investments. The group told me their employer lets them chose an activity to give back to the community, and they chose to clean Third Beach. The morning after the drum circle, they told me it was a challenge. I met them continuing their work at Second Beach. Many thanks to all of you!

BANANA SLUGS: These very attractive slugs have suddenly appeared on the park trails. Banana slugs have a bit of a reputation. The Stanley Park Ecology Society posted that banana slugs are known for being slimy, but their slime actually starts off as dry granules.

The granules have an incredible ability to absorb water, growing to over 100 times their original volume and forming a sticky goo that makes them an unpleasant snack for predators.

Their slime also has the ability to numb the mouth and tongue of any animal that braves the slime to try and eat them.

CANADA GEESE AND SPRINKLERS: Canada Geese love the park’s lawn sprinklers. A goose spa! I spotted them enjoying the sprinklers in the Rose Garden.

LOOPER MOTHS: The looper moths are becoming evident in the park as they evolve from the spinning inch worms hanging from white threads dangling onto park trails.

The looper moths will increase in numbers in the coming weeks as they attack the hemlock and Douglas fir trees. One day I failed to spot a dangling worm until I felt it crawling on my neck.

Yuck! Worse for the trees, of course. Dying trees are evident. See Lucas Pilleri’s article about the trees in our “Talk of the Town” section here. (Amanda To Add Link)

Stanley Park’s Eco-stewards uprooting invasive species.

BE AN ECO-STEWARD: The Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) is seeking Eco-Stewards to help remove invasive plant species from the park. Learn about local ecology and conservation issues, take part in hands-on invasive species removal, and make an important contribution to habitat conservation and restoration in Stanley Park.

The Stanley Park Ecology Society's EcoStewards will meet next outside of the SPES office (610 Pipeline Road) at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 3. Register here.

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