Captain John Clarkson. Photo courtesy of BC Shipping News.
Captain John Clarkson, associate dean of the BCIT Marine Campus, has been appointed one of just five members of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, effective February 27, 2012.
John, who began his career as a navigating officer cadet, has helmed the Marine Campus since 2003. “Working at BCIT has been a fascinating experience,” he says. “When I started here, I wanted to turn the Marine Campus into what I would say it is now, which is the best marine training school in Canada. I’ve achieved the goals I set when I started.”
Capt. Clarkson’s achievements at BCIT include developing a highly successful industry services department and building training partnerships with such companies as BC Ferries. He also spearheaded the renewal of our marine simulation technologies. “When I started here, our simulation technology was outdated,” he explains. “Now the Marine Campus has—if not the most advanced marine simulation technology in North America—then equally as good as those of other organizations.”
As much as he’s achieved at BCIT, John is eager to take on his new role. “It’s quite an honour to be appointed to this Board,” he says. “This is an excellent finish to a career in the transportation industry.”
The Transportation Safety Board is an independent agency with a mandate to advance transportation safety in the marine, pipeline, rail, and air modes of transportation. The Board conducts independent investigations—including public inquiries when necessary—into selected transportation occurrences in order to make findings as to their causes and contributing factors. The Board identifies safety deficiencies and makes recommendations designed to eliminate or reduce them. It reports publicly on its investigations and on related findings.
“I’ve always been interested in the investigative process in transportation safety,” says John, “so to play a role in the advancement of transportation safety in Canada and internationally is a real boon.”
John’s appointment was announced December 19, 2011 by Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada. In it, he stated, ““Captain Clarkson’s extensive background in the field of marine safety will be a valuable asset to the Transportation Safety Board. His thorough understanding of both applicable regulations and technical safety measures will be of service to the Board’s complex investigations.” Read the full announcement.
Congratulations, John.
