Media Advisory and Photo Opportunity: Toronto Port Authority welcomes M.V.
Brant as first "saltie" in port for 2010

Captain to be honoured in beaver hat ceremony marking the spring opening of ocean-going shipping on Friday, April 9, at 11:30 a.m.

TORONTO, April 8 /CNW/ - The Toronto Port Authority ("TPA") is pleased to announce the arrival of M.V. Brant into the Port of Toronto today. As the first ocean-going vessel to enter the port this season, the Brant's captain, Mykhalo Kuznetsov, will be the guest of honour in the 2010 beaver hat ceremony on Friday honouring the first "saltie" vessel in port this year.

Capt. Kuznetsov and the Brant will be delivering 19,879 metric tonnes of sugar from Costa Rica to the Redpath Sugar refinery at the foot of Jarvis Street.

Photographers, videographers and reporters are welcome to record the beaver hat ceremony at the following time and location:

    
                               Friday, April 9
                                 11:30 a.m.
    Redpath Sugar, 95 Queen's Quay East (foot of Jarvis Street), Toronto
                (Enter through east-side security checkpoint)
    

The TPA's traditional beaver hat ceremony has officially marked the spring opening of the Port of Toronto to ocean-going vessels for 149 years.

The beaver hat used in the ceremony originally belonged to Captain John Hooper Meade who immigrated to Canada from England in 1828. Capt. Meade became a successful Toronto merchant and landowner with holdings on Centre Island as well as a hotel and two steamer vessels. Made by London, U.K., hatmaker Christys & Company Ltd. from silk and beaver pelt, the hat was donated by Capt. Meade to mark the occasion in 1861. His grandson, Captain John Allen, was Toronto's Harbour Master from 1925-30.

Capt. Kuznetsov will be "crowned" with the antique hat by TPA Harbour Master Angus Armstrong at the ceremony. Earlier in its history, the hat could be worn by the captain of the first spring "saltie" in port for 24 hours, but this tradition came to an end after several mishaps when the custodian of the hat decided to overindulge in rowdy celebrations at downtown taverns.

Capt. Kuznetsov will also receive the traditional $100 cheque and a commemorative briefcase.

For further information: Deputy Harbourmaster Michael Riehl at [phone]