FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering

The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering is named in recognition of J.J. Kinley, P.Eng., the first and only Engineers Nova Scotia member to hold the title of Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Nova Scotia and the first professional engineer to hold the position of Lieutenant Governor of any Province in Canada. 

The award is given annually to a team, company, government department or consortium of professional engineers, who through original achievement or creative accomplishment in the application of engineering principles, and excellence in engineering design, demonstrates a high quality of professional engineering standards. The engineering achievement should show economic benefit and highlight Nova Scotian leadership in the practice of engineering.

The Jury Panel for the 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering received many strong submissions this year, on behalf of Council and the Association, it is my great honour to announce that the recipient of the 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering is;

Glas Ocean Electric for their commitment to scaling cleaner energy to coastal waters as the driving force behind the Alutasi electric boat conversion. The Alutasi was converted from a traditional Cape Islander fishing boat operating as a tour boat into a battery electric hybrid boat. Before and after the conversion Glas Ocean Electric measured emissions, power and underwater noise to help gain an understanding of the measurable impact of converting vessels to electric power.

Alutasi is not just a boat, it is an innovation as the first passenger boat approved by Transport Canada’s Marine Technical Review Board (MTRB) to use lithium-ion batteries.  

This project celebrates and raises awareness of local Mi’kmaw culture and history and has been renamed Alutasi, (a'lutasit) a Mi'kmaw word meaning fishing guide.  The vessel’s hull has been wrapped in artwork by Allan Syliboy, the winner of a Glas Ocean Electric/ NSPI sponsored art project. This vessel symbolizes a commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and pollution with estimated reductions of 40% in GHGs and 40-60% in underwater radiated noise per trip.

As decided by the selection panel, this project reflects innovation, a commitment to the environment, and respect for Nova Scotia’s past, present, and future, setting an example for all engineering across Canada in keeping with national goals.

“As both the Minister of Transport and a professional engineer, I commend Glas Ocean Electric on this accomplishment. The Government of Canada is proud to support regional economic and sustainable projects like Glas Ocean Electric’s hybrid electric passenger vessel. This project is an excellent example of Canadian leadership in clean transportation innovation.”
                                                                                    Minister of Transport, The Honourable Omar Alghabra.

A private ceremony will be held at Government House in May 2021, when the Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, will present the award.

Engineers Nova Scotia is the licensing and regulatory body for the more than 7,000 professional engineers and engineers-in-training registered to practice engineering in Nova Scotia. The mission of Engineers Nova Scotia is to serve and protect the public interest, advance and promote the value and proficiency of the engineering profession, and support the members in their professional practice. For more information, see our website at www.engineersnovascotia.ca

For more information, contact:

Pal Mann, P.Eng.
CEO and Registrar, Engineers Nova Scotia 
Tel: (902) 429-2250
e-mail: Pal.mann@engineersnovascotia.ca