OCEAN Newsletter - Fall 2012

NEWSletter fall 2012 Number 4

coup de coeur AWARD FRANÇois Lessard EXECUTIVE Vice- PresidenT Administration

On October 4th, Ocean received the Coup de coeur award from the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés during their annual conference.

Our company, registered in the category of organizations with 350 or more employees, was noticed by the jury for different occasions of recognition of our employees, either verbally daily or in activities throughout the year. For this reason, the jury decided to allocate the award Coup de coeur, a separate distinction from the usual list of awards.

We are very excited about this special recognition: «We are already aware of the dedication of our staff.» This award recognizes, in my opinion, our staff’s pride in being part of our company, well-known in the marine industry. While we are always looking for new talent to support the growth of our company, such a recognition is an important asset.

All of Ocean’s employees were invited last April to participate in the Challenge by answering a survey. For us, «this was an excellent opportunity to compare our practices with those of other large organizations in order to improve ourselves. We can now say that Ocean is heading in the right direction.»

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ocean industries and fabrication navale ocean

Construction of the TundRA 100 The construction of our first Tundra ship is moving forward at a fast pace. The new series of tugs developed by the company Robert Allan will be more powerful and efficient.

The team at Ocean Industries is finalizing the assembly of the hull modules. The imposing structure of the vessel consists of 16 blocks. Modules 1 and 2, which are part of the hull and the keel of the ship, were turned over last November. The accommodations, as well as three hull modules, are manufactured by the employees of Fabrication Navale Océan. They also have installed the wheelhouse over the accommodations recently.

Construction of the 25 m tug This other project at the shipyard demonstrates the strength of our team. The 25 m tug presently under construction is more than 75% completed. It is now outside on the ramp. Our teams are busy preparing the finishing work to be completed during the winter: painting, installation of electric cables, interior finishing, etc.

Last April, The announcement of this brand new construction valued at $ 10.6 million dollars, represented several months of work for the fifty new employees who joined the team as part of the construction of the dredge.

The construction of this ship is progressing very well; its commissioning in Montréal is still scheduled for early April.

Drydock of the Ocean Traverse Nord In August, Ocean proceeded to the commissioning of its new trailing suction hopper dredger for the execution for the maintenance dredging contract of the Traverse du Nord and Bécancour.

However, there was still finishing work to be done on the ship once the dredging was completed for 2012. Employees of the shipyard are busy completing the last jobs, in exterior dry dock. These tasks consist of completing electrical, painting and steel welding jobs, in order to obtain permanent certification for the Ocean Traverse Nord.

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Ocean remorquage AND Ocean Navigation

Reorganization of the administrative team To support the growth and improve our operational management, the following changes were implemented to assist Benoit Lafrenière, Director, harbour towage operations and also the development of rescue and navigation activities, Carl Pepin is now responsible for harbour towage operations in the province of Quebec. Reporting to Carl, Dave Gauthier now oversees the department of central services, which includes among other services, dispatch, billing and payroll. As for Maryse Paré, responsible for the Port of Québec and Bruno Collin, in charge for both the Ports of Sorel and TroisRivières, they will have increased responsibilities and are appointed Managing Directors for their respective ports. Israel Tremblay is still responsible for marine transportation and assumes an interim for operations in Sept-Îles.

Salvage operation in Greenland During a trip to recover the submersible barge at Deception Bay, the Ocean Delta, with the captains Michel Lavoie and Angelo Ferron on board, interrupted its journey to assist a stranded ship leaving the Port of Nuuk, Greenland. The captains immediately responded to the call.

Upon arrival, the M/V Vega Sagittarius, a ship built in 2011 under Liberian flag, was in a very bad situation. The Delta Ocean assisted the Norwegian tugboat named «Sea Tiger» to get the stranded vessel out of her awkward position and then escort her to his destination. The 11,811 ton ship was carrying goods for a number of small communities in Greenland when it ran aground on the rocky bottom.

A new durable paint In August, during the dry dock of the Ocean Raymond Lemay, the shipyard employees completed the application of a new type of paint. Thanks to its unique composition, the paint Ecospeed is one of the best protections available for ship hulls. Applied directly to steel, the coating can protect the submerged parts of the ship, such as the hull, against cavitation, corrosion and ice impact over a period of about 25 years.

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The special composition of the product itself also reduces the resistance of the ship against the water and, thereby, reduces fuel consumption, in our constant desire to improve our impact on the environment.

ocean marine works and ocean dredging dsm

Dredging operations of the Traverse du Nord and of Pointe-Noire Some 70,000 m3 of sediment to be collected throughout the our first year of the seven-year maintenance contract for portions of the Traverse du Nord and Bécancour were removed in a timely manner.

We even completed it in less time than expected.

Dredging for the construction of a multi-user wharf at Pointe-Noire in the Port of Sept-Îles was realized. The equipment mobilized for this 260,000 m3 project, remains on the North Shore for a new mandate with Cliffs. Several pieces of equipment used for this contract had been acquired from Verreault Dredging; their refurbishing by our team of Qualité et Service Océan has allowed us to perform these operations successfully.

a new gas distribution system In July, the Ship and Industrial Repair division installed a prototype system for distributing welding gas. The system designed and developed jointly between workers of the division, Linde Gas and Beauce Technology, improves welding quality, reduces the cost of filling the bulk packs and reduces the handling charges and immobilization for our various projects.

The advantages of this new distributor in short: • • •

Connect 8 welders on a single bulk pack; Regulate the gas pressure evenly to all users Prevent the system from freezing with an automatic thermostatic heating element.

Multi-user wharf at Pointe-Noire Pomerleau has required the services of Ocean for the rental of large construction equipment. The latter is being prepared and will soon leave our facilities to be utilized in the multi-user platform building project at Pointe-Noire.

The Pointe-Noire project consists in building a 500 m long jetty on piles to support, in particular, closed conveyors leading to the new 450 m wharf which can accommodate two bulk-ore carriers at the same time.

The 10-month project is one of the largest contracts ever obtained

by Ocean Marine Works. To be continued...

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Well-being: Dependence at work Carole Gourdreault Director of human resources

No need to do a lot of research to understand that a drunk or drugged employee that comes to work can put his safety and that of his colleagues in danger. The person under influence is not necessarily able to do his job safely in his regular duties; his perception, motor skills and judgment are impaired.

What is the impact of impairment (alcohol, drugs and medicine) in the workplace?

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Two to three times greater risk of work accidents; an absenteeism rate three times higher than average; relationship problems; lower production level of 30% on average; three times more claims for salary insurance than average; five times more likely to claim to the CSST; ten times more likely to be involved in a grievance procedure.

These data are disturbing when we consider the safety and well-being of our employees at work. In fact, our goal is to make you aware of this serious problem and its consequences. At the workplace, you can’t say that the dependencies of some employees do not concern you. Instead, you have a responsibility: do not hesitate to talk about it to your immediate supervisor.

At Ocean, the well-being and safety of our employees is at the heart of our priorities! If necessary, resources are available to help you. You can visit your local CLSC or call your group insurance plan that can refer you to qualified resources.

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our world news

Donation to the CHUQ Foundation On November 15, Gordon Bain and Jacques Tanguay held an evening «RESPIRE» to mark the 40th anniversary of Ocean. The goal of this event was to raise money for a cause that is particularly dear to their hearts: the sick children. «Children which, at too young an age, face illness and suffering deserve the hope of a better life.

That is why we decided to get involved directly in the well-being of children «they stated.

On the occasion of its 40th, Ocean made a vital donation of $ 120,000 to the CHUQ’s Centre mère-enfant thus financing the purchase of a leading-edge ultrasound. However, Gordon and Jacques wanted to go even further! They sought the support of their partners to take part in the event which raised an extra $ 100,000 for the purchase of five NAVA systems at a cost of $ 20,000 each.

Mechanical respiration is essential for children with acute health problems and the NAVA system, a highly specialized respirator, offers undeniable benefits. It adapts to the respiratory capacity of the child, making this kind of breathing easier and comfortable.

The child does not have to fight against the respirator which instead becomes an ally in his well-being. In addition, by decreasing the patient’s pain, the NAVA system greatly reduces lung damage and other complications that may arise. It also minimizes the ICU stay.

Ocean’s initiative provided, with the help of its colleagues, a total donation of $220,000 to the pediatric intensive care unit of the CHUQ’s Centre mère-enfant.

Nathalie Christiaens

Health and safety ... with ladders and stepladders In Quebec, the regulatory requirements surrounding the work at height with ladders and stepladders result of the Rules and the law on health and safety (ROHS and OHSA) and the Safety Code for the Construction (CSTC). Here are some of the requirements described in these documents:

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Ladders or stepladders used in workshops must meet the Class 1 industrial standard, marking labels must be present and legible on equipment; Equipment with deformities, broken or bent bars or with a defective locking device must be removed; Ladders and stepladders should never serve as a bridge, scaffolding, or even a seat. It is also forbidden to climb on the shelf of a stepladder;

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Ladders must always be securely fastened at the feet and attached; It is forbidden to use a ladder or stepladder on scaffolding; Ladders can be used as a workstation only when the planned intervention is performed in less than an hour; Wearing a safety harness is required for any work carried out at a height of 3 m or more; Ladders must always be at least 3 feet higher than the work surface; For safe transportation, carry a ladder on a shoulder, with an arm placed between the mounts while maintaining forward declined; Working with several employees is recommended to install any equipment longer than 9 m or weighing over 55 lbs.

Olivier Simon

OUR values: Safety and Environment This is the initial text in a series of five that present our core values. As the first value, I selected safety/environment. Why? Because the results of the Défi Employeurs Inspirants 2012, for the question «The health and safety of employees at work count for my organization», the satisfaction rate is 89%. It is the highest score, the same as in the 2011 survey.

Ocean took a turn in occupational health and safety a few years ago, and these results speak for themselves; it shows.

However, beyond the efforts of the organization, everyone has to say, «My life, my health and that of my colleagues are my first priority.» You should always act for you and your colleagues in accordance with the policies and procedures,

taking the time to analyze the risks and balancing work and personal life.

Ocean has also voluntarily joined the Green Alliance, which constantly brings us to raise our performance in regard to environmental issues in the maritime industry. In everyday life, taking care of the environment can translate into simple actions such as recycling, carpooling and maintaining a pleasant environment by keeping work spaces and common goods clean. If it is not already done, change your habits in order to say «We are helping to build a positive world for tomorrow.»

Mireille Bérubé

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A busy 2012!

A hundred new employees; - New pilotage service in Sept-Îles; - Ocean Construction becomes Ocean Marine Works; Creation of Fabrication Navale Ocean; - construction and commissioning of the dredge; - Announcement of the construction of two tugs; Dozens of achievements completed with excellence!

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Ocean wins the jury’s Coup de coeur award in the Défi entrepreneurs inspirants!

upcoming event Christmas party Date and time: Friday December 14, 2012 Starting at 6 p.m.

Some memories of the 2012 remarkable events

Location: DELTA hotel 690 René-Lévesque East Québec G1R 5A8 Special room rates are available at the hotel. Transportation is also available from all Ocean business locations.

Employee BBQ at the shipyard

Annual golf tournament at Ile d’Orléans

Défi-Entreprises on the Plains of Abraham

Contact Rose-Marie Haché at extension 389 to confirm your presence.

You have comments, suggestions or would like to publish an article in the newsletter?

8 Family picnic at Domaine Cataraqui

Christening of the Ocean Traverse Nord in the Port of Québec

« Respire » evening for the benefit of the CHUQ Foundation

Send an email to : vicky.boivin@groupocean.com