Massive ‘floatel’ to remain in Nanaimo indefinitely after floating work camp rejected by Squamish

The future of a floating hotel that is currently anchored in Nanaimo Harbour is uncertain after Squamish council voted against allowing it to move there.

The massive vessel, the MS Isabelle, has been a fixture of Nanaimo’s waterfront for months, after it first arrived in February from Estonia.

READ MORE: ‘I thought it was a cruise ship’: Large floating hotel to anchor in Nanaimo for months

The ship, which was previously used to house Ukrainian refugees, was intended to be a work camp for more than 600 LNG workers for company Woodfibre LNG in Squamish.

However, on Tuesday, Squamish council denied Woodfibre LNG’s application to set up there in a vote of 3-2.

Councillors cited environmental concerns, as well as safety concerns for workers who would be on the ship – particularly women.

Councillors also noted that the LNG project itself was not an issue, but the use of a vessel as a floating work camp for hundreds of people was.

The MS Isabelle was expected to leave Nanaimo in April, but according to the Port of Nanaimo, staff have yet to be notified what will happen to the ship now.

With files from CHEK’s Skye Ryan and The Canadian Press

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