B.C. orders LNG workers be housed on ‘floatel’ near Squamish by end of week

Woodfibre LNG has been issued an order to house workers who are currently living at "unauthorized locations” on the so-called floatel.

A contentious floating hotel meant for workers of a liquified natural gas (LNG) construction project will soon be moored off the coast of Squamish, B.C., after the provincial government found employees were being housed in “unauthorized locations.”

The provincial Environmental Assessment Office has ordered Woodfibre LNG to relocate the some 330 workers to the so-called floatel by Friday at 5 p.m.

Woodfibre LNG brought in the MV Isabelle X, a Croatian-built former cruise ship, to house up to 650 non-local employees during construction of the multi-million dollar project.

Woodfibre LNG had yet to move the ship from Nanaimo or relocate any workers onto the floatel as it awaits a Temporary Use Permit from the District of Squamish.

However, the province’s inspection says any worker who did not live in the District of Squamish before Sept. 20, 2023 must be housed on the floatel.

Approximately 300 workers are living a camp in Port Mellon and another 30 are staying at hotels in Squamish. Around 41 workers who live in a leased building in Squamish are exempt from the order  and 87 more workers live elsewhere.

Vancouver-based Bridgeman’s Services Group did a $100-million makeover of the ship so it could be a self-sufficient ship with dining, recreation and medical services on board.

The floatel has the approval of both the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and the Squamish Nation. However, back in May, the District of Squamish council voted down the proposal, expressing concerns about potential safety issues for women in the community, increased traffic, waste management and potential natural hazards.