ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: April 12, 1999
Author/Local: Guy Gusdal/6461
RTS No. 0582
CC File No. 2612-2

Council: May 18, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Chief Licence Inspector
SUBJECT:	Summer Sun Charters Ltd. - Class ‘A’ (Motor Vessel) Liquor License

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council endorse the request by Summer Sun Charters Ltd. for a Class ‘A’ (Motor Vessel) liquor license on board the M.V. Summer Sun, subject to Liquor Control and Licensing Branch circular number 552, at this time.

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The Acting General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

There are no Council policy or guidelines regarding new liquor license applications for motor vessels.

PURPOSE

Summer Sun Charters Ltd., is requesting a Council resolution endorsing their application for a Class ‘A’ (Motor Vessel) liquor license on board the M.V. Summer Sun.

BACKGROUND

Since 1989, the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission, and ultimately City Council, has considered applications for Class ‘A’ (Motor Vessel) liquor licenses. During the review and discussion of the applications, it was determined that because liquor could only be served while the motor vessel is at sea, it likely would not impact on the surrounding neighbourhood. Therefore, applications were endorsed without a mail notification or a referendum.

The Summer Sun is a 57-feet vessel registered by Transport Canada to carry 40 passengersand has completed federal requirements for a charter vessel. The vessel is docked at the Westin Bayshore Marina and offers cruises ranging from three to six hours. The majority of cruises take place in the evenings and never return to the marina past 12:00 midnight.

The yacht has a complete galley, but no meals are prepared on board. Food is catered by the Westin Bayshore Hotel and prepared in the hotel’s nearby kitchens and brought on board in hot-trucks. If other caterers are used, the food is prepared off the vessel and transported in food warmers.

There is ample nearby parking and public transportation to support the application.

COMMENTS

The Police Department’s Marine Squad supports this application and reports that the applicant has been involved in the charter industry since 1986 without incident. No complaints or negative reports about the ship or crew have been received, and when Marine Squad members have boarded the Summer Sun, they have always been received by a very professional and polite crew.

The vessel has recently been upgraded to meet the high standards demanded by Transport Canada Marine Safety and has been inspected by Marine Safety to Steamship Standards.

The Summer Sun is spacious, allowing lots of room for the maximum 40 passengers to comfortably walk around. The layout of the vessel provides a distinct separate area away from the clients for the captain.

The Environmental Health Division of the Vancouver-Richmond Health Board has no objection to the application.

CONCLUSION

As a Class ‘A’ (Motor Vessel) liquor license is unlikely to impact on the neighbourhood, staff recommends the application be endorsed.

*****

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver