C-MAR’s New Location: Bay Bulls, Newfoundland

Mair has a very interesting history. Early in his career, he started out working at sea on supply and ­diving support vessels, ­eventually ­becoming a captain. While living and working in the U.K., Mair was introduced to the C-MAR Group, and was hired as an ­employee with the company. When it came time to move his career in a new direction, he ­became ­interested in returning to Canada and ­forming a ­consultancy company. He approached the C-MAR owners with the idea for a joint venture, eventually establishing what was to be the first location for C-MAR ­outside of the U.K. C-MAR Services ­(Canada) Ltd. was formed in Summerside, Prince Edward ­Island, in 1996 with Mair at the helm. Since that time, C-MAR has grown to include twelve office locations all over the globe.

The PEI office ran from incorporation in 1996 until its recent move to Bay Bulls, ­Newfoundland, in March of 2013. While C-MAR Canada has had a long history of working with Newfoundland companies and workers, the upsurge in oil, gas, and ­mining activities in this province meant the time was right to make a physical move. ­C-MAR ­Canada had traditionally focused its ­business on serving the industry in the Gulf of Mexico and other international areas. This relocation means that the company will be better positioned to upscale its activities in the Newfoundland market.

Situating the operation in the town of Bay Bulls made a lot of sense for the company. Bay Bulls was established in its early days as a fishing community, due to its ­proximity to the Grand Banks. The industry in this area ­continues to grow, largely because of oil and gas business and the established ­marine terminal. Bay Bulls also offered ­C-MAR a more economical choice, while still ­allowing ready access to the core of downtown St. John’s, a mere thirty minutes away.

In this extremely competitive market, ­C-MAR sets itself apart from the crowd. Mair ­acknowledges that in his industry, ­“Everybody’s out there, supplying service. The industry does need that support and someone, somewhere, will supply it to them. So you’ve got to have a really good ­product—sell yourself well, be known—and have a good track record.” C-MAR stands above the crowd due in large part to the wide range of services the company provides. They are not only marine personnel, but also a marine consultancy: vessel management, subsea engineering, dynamic positioning training, and the list goes on. “The company is very versatile and varied,” Mair states, “C-MAR’s portfolio of services makes us unique.”

One of the major challenges the industry is facing today is with respect to ­manpower. Qualified, skilled trades people are in ­demand, and, oftentimes, workers who have the ­required skills and experience are over 50 and looking at retirement. Mair ­identifies that this is not just of local concern—this is felt globally. Everybody is looking for good personnel, and this is why maintaining a good rapport with your employees is of the utmost importance. Mair was proud to tell me that C-MAR makes it a priority to look after their employees, checking in with them regularly, and making sure they know they are not just a number.

What lies ahead for C-MAR Canada? Mair is excited about the ­opportunity to work in ­Newfoundland and to change gears to ­focus on the growing industry on the East Coast. He explains that C-MAR will be most ­interested in future oilfield ­development as well as ­creating partnerships with ­existing oil service ­companies in Newfoundland. Projects such as the Hebron oilfield ­platform construction and field development, Statoil significant oil ­discovery, the Muskrat Falls ­hydroelectric ­project, as well as the ­continued ­exploration and production of oil and gas fields and ­minerals off the Grand Banks and ­Labrador are at top of mind. “We’re now in ­Newfoundland. The Newfoundland offshore economy, specifically oil and gas, has got a good future. We’re successful and ­established internationally, but I would like to see us grow more in the local market.”