What Straits-specific safety measures do you have in place?

Our Answer

Ultimately, the Great Lakes Tunnel is the best long-term solution for Line 5 as the pipeline will be located well below the lakebed, inside the tunnel.

We currently have in place a co-ordinated xystem to reduce the risk of vessels that could pose a risk to the pipelines from striking the pipelines. That system consists of:

• electronic and radio measures to identify vessels that may transit through the Straits
• observing large vessels that could pose a risk to the dual pipelines; such observations are conducted with patrol boats or from shore-based positions to determine whether a vessel’s operation poses a risk to the pipelines;
• if a vessel is observed to pose a risk, contacting the vessel to lift the anchor, not cross the Line 5 dual pipelines, or take further action
• if the risk cannot be resolved, ordering the immediate shutdown of the Line 5 dual pipelines.

In addition to these co-ordinated system measures, Enbridge has already implemented further measures to reduce the risk of anchor strike, as well as minor damage.

First, Enbridge positions at least one patrol boat over the dual pipelines 24 hours per day, seven days per week, weather permitting. Such boats are in addition to the patrol boats that perform the on-water observations described above. The purpose of these patrol boats is to monitor all vessels (as opposed to only those of significant size) in proximity to the dual pipelines to identify and attempt to resolve any risk to the pipelines posed by the vessel’s operations.

Second, Enbridge has implemented amended protocols to require that vessels of significant size be hailed via radio to confirm that their anchor is stowed when an observation cannot be completed.