The mandate of the Council is to further the interests and to conserve the rights of members of the Council and to promote their general welfare.
The Council's role is to formulate and advocate policies, legislation and regulations that are beneficial to our membership by working with the appropriate governmental and industrial agencies. This is done by utilizing a wide range of political, bureaucratic and Association contacts which have been developed over the time the council has existed and previously, as the British Columbia Tow Boat Owners Association. These contacts range from Inspectors in the field in organizations such as Transport Canada, Industry Canada and the Workers Compensation Board to various Ministers and senior governmental officials at all levels of Government from municipal through to Provincial and Federal. The Council maintains links in both Canada, the United States as well as abroad. We also have close relations with similar organizations such as our own including the BC Chamber of Shipping, the Chamber of Maritime Commerce, the International Ship-Owners Alliance of Canada the Shipping Federation of Canada, WESTAC, the American Waterways Operators and the various Marine Exchanges across the US.
Although all member companies benefit from our efforts when we succeed in achieving sensible or appropriate regulations or standards that would apply to the industry as a whole, we often work directly with our members at an individual level to craft solutions to their own particular interests and issues.
Subject to the provisions of federal and provincial legislation, the Council may establish and administer on behalf of member companies, plans and schemes providing welfare, medical and health insurance, vacation plans, retirement benefit schemes for, or with respect to, members employees and their families.
In addition, the Council establishes and implements safety programs, as well as training and retraining programs for seagoing employees. We promote safety in operations and and promote the adoption by our members of modern methods, devices, rules and regulations conducive to the attainment of safety in operations.
There are four types of membership within the Council of Marine Carriers, namely Tier I, Tier II, Tier III and Tier IV members. Tier I membership is open to any individual, firm or corporation which owns or operates vessels, towboats or barges and employs seagoing personnel. Tier II members are those who specialize in one particular aspect of tug operations such as ship docking and ship escort operations. Tier III members are companies who own marine assets and are involved in project based marine operations, such as bridge or terminal construction projects but do not directly employ seafarers. A Tier IV membership is largely a social membership consisting of non-marine companies, Associations and individuals who have an interest in the towboat industry but do not have an active role in marine operations. The CMC Board of Directors may declare other firms or organizations to be eligible as a member at any level at their discretion. All memberships are voted upon by the CMC Board of Directors.
In addition, the Council establishes and implements safety programs, as well as training and retraining programs for seagoing employees. We promote safety in operations and and promote the adoption by our members of modern methods, devices, rules and regulations conducive to the attainment of safety in operations.