To: All Seaspan Shipyards employees
March 19, 2020
Team,
Early this week I committed to update the organization frequently on the impact of COVID-19 on our operations. As you know, the situation is rapidly evolving. We expect it will remain fluid for the foreseeable future with new changes and developments daily if not hourly.
This morning, our sister NSS shipyard on the east coast, Irving Shipbuilding, suspended production in their yards. It has prompted many of us – including me – to question if it is time for us to do the same.
Earlier today I did a walk, stem to stern, through our yard at VSY. I cannot tell you how proud I am to see folks pushing as hard as they can to get us as far down the line as possible before we have to make any further decision about our own operations. The same commitment and dedication to advance work on our major projects for our government and commercial customers is happening at VSL and VDC. I am blown away by the determination – in every corner, across every functional area, by every team – to keep production going while adopting and adjusting to all the preventative measures and new procedures we have put in place to keep employees safe. I am incredibly grateful for the resiliency and hard work I am seeing right across the business.
We remain open and operational – for now.
As COVID-19 developments continue to unfold, our top priority is the health and well-being of all Seaspan employees, customers and community partners. We are closely following the guidance and direction of public health and government authorities. I want to be very clear that, as far as we are aware, no Seaspan employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
Like many companies, we are taking the recommended preventative measures to help protect our employees and to help flatten the curve in the community. Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking additional steps to ensure we are doing everything we can to further ensure the safety of employees:
- Operations management at all three yards are evaluating all individual job functions and individual work environments both in the yards and on the vessels to enhance social distancing. Changes to shifts and/or staggering work to limit proximity may be implemented.
- We have made the difficult decision to cease work inside the pressure-hull of the submarine at VSL. Exterior work on the submarine and work in the shop where appropriate social distancing can be maintained will continue.
Daily operational evaluation – daily decision-making
Our executive team is actively monitoring and responding real-time to developments, needs and information. We will review and assess our operational situation daily, and adjust and escalate our actions as circumstances warrant or change.
We will continue to communicate as and when we have updates and new information. For now, we remain open and operational.
My message to everyone at Seaspan:
- If you are sick please stay home;
- If you are concerned that you may have or have been exposed to COVID-19, please self-isolate and call 8-1-1. Medical resources are available through our Wellness department at wellness@seaspan.com;
- And, importantly, no one who is concerned about their health and safety will be required to work or will be disciplined for not working. Vacation, banked overtime or leave without pay may be taken in this circumstance.
Thank you all for everything you are doing to keep us healthy and whole. Together, we will get through this.
Mark
Mark Lamarre
Chief Executive Officer, Seaspan Shipyards