The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority board has landed two marine industry experts — Mark Collins, former president of B.C. Ferries, and Don Krusel, who spent 25 years guiding the development of the Port of Prince Rupert.
They are among three newcomers to the 13-member board. Victoria Coun. Susan Kim has also joined the board. Directors serve four-year terms.
Board chairwoman Christine Willow said Thursday that about 25 people put their names forward for the open positions.
The harbour authority was looking for new members with skills in the commercial marine sector, infrastructure planning and development, and environmental issues, she said.
Ogden Point and some other assets might need upgrading or redevelopment within the authority’s 10-year strategic plan, she said. “So having two people who have marine industry experience, who have infrastructure planning experience, and all those kinds of skills — it’s fantastic.”
“Both Mark and Don are super-welcome new directors in the sense of bringing that depth of experience.”
The harbour authority heads up major facilities in the city’s harbour including Ogden Point where cruise ships dock, the breakwater, the Lower Causeway in the Inner Harbour, Ship Point, the customs dock at Raymur Point, Fisherman’s Wharf and four marinas.
Collins and Krusel are independent directors on the board, meaning they are not affiliated with any of the eight other agencies represented.
Directors’ remuneration is $200 for half a day and $400 for a full day.
Collins was president of B.C. Ferries from 2017 to summer 2022, when his contract was cancelled. He led the company as it ordered new ferries of similar designs to create more efficiency. The ferries are quieter and less intrusive to the environment.
Under Collins’ stewardship, new hybrid Island-class ferries were built to run on diesel fuel and battery power. The future goal is to construct on-shore infrastructure allowing ferries to use battery power alone.
Krusel’s time in Prince Rupert saw a new container port established, transforming it into one of the largest in the country and increasing employment in the coastal community.
He was hired by the Quebec Port Authority as managing director of the port’s project to build a container terminal. Krusel had served as a member of that port’s expert panel on creating a deep-water container terminal.
The three new members of the harbour authority’s board replace outgoing members Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, Starr McMichael and Gordon Safarik.
