Announcements
March 22, 2024
Did you know that more than 70 percent of the goods that Canadians use every day are brought to Canada by ship? This World Water Day, we’re celebrating the spring opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway with a brand-new collection of videos and resources all about shipping!
In this collection, students will learn about the challenges and career paths of shipping professions and learn about the intricate operations of locks, how ships can use biofuel, and what working and living on a ship is like.
Grades
Grade 7-8, Grade 9+
Resources
7 pieces of media and activities
Subjects
Career education, social studies
Key concepts
maritime careers, blue economy, sustainability, transportation
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
A Seaway lock operator works at a computer station showing images of the St. Lambert lock. Photo by Emily Sheepy (Ocean School).
Ocean School producer Emily Sheepy explains, “It’s hard to describe just how huge a cargo ship like the CSL St-Laurent is. We watched a bulldozer drive around inside a cargo bay, moving the grain around. It was such a thrill to get to interview Captain Lambe and her crew about how they work. It takes an enormous amount of coordination to navigate the locks. When you’re passing through a lock, the sides of the ship are so close to the walls, you could almost reach out and touch them. And there are 15 locks on the Seaway!”
To get a good sense of the scale of a cargo ship, watch Tour the CSL St-Laurent to take a 360-degree tour with Francis Lavoie, first officer of the CSL St-Laurent. You’ll visit the bridge, the engine room, the galley, the living quarters, and more! “We hope this program inspires young people to join an innovative industry that is working towards a cleaner and greener future for all," shares Louis Martel, President and CEO, The CSL Group.
Director of Photography Stefan Verna captures an overhead view of a tractor pushing grain in a cargo hold on the CSL St-Laurent. Photo by Emily Sheepy (Ocean School).
Captain Anita Lambe and Director of Photography Stefan Verna on the bridge of the CSL St-Laurent cargo ship. Photo by Emily Sheepy (Ocean School).
Director of Photography Stefan Verna captures an overhead view of a tractor pushing grain in a cargo hold on the CSL St-Laurent. Photo by Emily Sheepy (Ocean School).
“The Seaway operations are super interesting. They’re always communicating with the ships and trains. They’re not just lifting ships up and down—they’re moving bridges and coordinating across transportation systems,” says Emily. “It’s not a career that many students are aware of.”
Students can take a look behind the scenes at the Seaway in Unlocking locks, which takes students on a tour of the St. Lambert lock, and Seaway traffic control, where we interview a controller at the St. Lawrence Seaway about her job.
“Partnering for 'Shipping on the Seaway' has been a creative way to give students a firsthand look at the inner workings of the St. Lawrence Seaway and its locks. This is a unique opportunity for young people to witness the marvel of maritime engineering and appreciate the intricate processes involved in maintaining our vital waterways," says Nicole Giroux-LaPlante, Senior Advisor, Corporate Communications at The St. Lawrence Seaway.
Behind the scenes in the operations centre at the St. Lambert Lock. Photo by Emily Sheepy (Ocean School).
Producer Scott Simpson films a ship coming into the lock. Photo by Emily Sheepy (Ocean School).
Operations Controller Ricardo D'Amore from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation and Producer Scott Simpson at St. Lambert lock. Photo by Emily Sheepy (Ocean School).
Behind the scenes in the operations centre at the St. Lambert Lock. Photo by Emily Sheepy (Ocean School).
The collection highlights personal stories and a variety career paths within the shipping industry:
Cargo captain presents an interview with Captain Anita Lambe, who shows us a bit of a day on the job as captain of the CSL St-Laurent.
Building bio-boats introduces a ship architect, who explains how biofuels are making the shipping industry more sustainable.
Galley gourmet offers a taste of life at sea as Chief Cook Cheryl Wyllie shares a bit of her daily routine on the CSL St-Laurent.
Seaway safety invites students to tag along on a safety inspection with Third Officer Federico Gabriel Kell, and
Learning the ropes introduces cadet Thierry Séguin and talks about how he got his start in shipping.
The video collection offers a range of career exploration opportunities, including career profiles and research activities that will help students explore what they value in a future career. "We aim to inspire students to appreciate shipping’s vital role in sustaining prosperity and environmental stewardship," explains Bruce Burrows, President and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce.
“Ocean School has developed an incredible way to encourage exploration of the rewarding and diverse marine career opportunities in Canada. Our sector is facing critical labour shortages, and it’s essential that we educate the next generation about the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the marine industry,” says Julia Fields, Executive Director, Canadian Marine Careers Foundation.
Learn more about the collection:
🔗Shipping on the Seaway (flyer)
🔗Shipping on the Seaway (collection)
Learn more about marine careers:
This collection was produced with the generous collaboration and support of our industry partners: the CSL Group, the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation, and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. We thank all of our partners for their commitment to promoting and advancing maritime education and sustainability.
What I really like about working here at the Seaway is the opportunity to take on different things every day or every week.
I used to live next to the river, the St. Lawrence River. I was always fascinated watching the big ships passing by.
