Toronto (February 20, 2024) – Elementary school students from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Island Public/Natural Science School put on their thinking caps this winter to help name
The Rock Bass – a new hybrid surveying vessel procured by the PortsToronto Works and Environmental Services Department.
This hybrid-electric vessel is a welcome addition to PortsToronto’s fleet, and aligns with the organization’s efforts to employ environmental best practices within its operations and its commitment to using clean, green energy where possible.
The Rock Bass will be deployed to provide a variety of marine services, including bathymetric surveying; which is an important process that scans and measures the depth of the Toronto Harbour to ensure it is maintained at a safe navigational depth for both commercial and leisure vessels.
During a visit to their classroom, grade four students at the Island Public/Natural Science School were invited to suggest a name and create a logo design for the new vessel. The
Iron Guppy, PortsToronto’s well-known tugboat, was named through a similar contest in 2016.
In total 27 creative names and pieces of artwork were submitted, which PortsToronto then narrowed down to a shortlist of three names.
The Rock Bass,
Speedy Duck and
Turtle Tide were put to a public vote over various social media platforms and over the course of one week, more than 720 votes were cast.
The Rock Bass received an impressive 54% of the vote.
The Rock Bass will be put into service in the spring of 2024, debuting its new name and logo. Follow along with us on social media @PortofToronto or on our website, portstoronto.com
Quotes
“We were thrilled to have the students from Toronto’s Island Public/Natural Science School help name PortsToronto’s new hybrid surveying vessel. It was a great way to connect and engage with our young community members and provide a fun opportunity to learn about PortsToronto and our work in the Toronto Harbour.”
– Deborah Wilson, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, PortsToronto
“The vessel naming contest is one of the neat ways for our students to see themselves making real world connections to the community in which they learn, live and commute daily.”
– Gary Pieters, Principal, Toronto District School Board Island Public/Natural Science School
About PortsToronto
For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed approximately 2.8 million passengers in 2019; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Marine Terminal 52, which provides transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $14 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.
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Media Contact
Jessica Pellerin
Manager, Media Relations and Public Affairs
PortsToronto
Cell: (647) 298-0585
E-mail:
jpellerin@portstoronto.com