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Advanced Technology Award
To acknowledge advancements in technology and the contributions made by individuals, both members and non-members, business and industry, and government to promote pioneer efforts in technology and to recognize the application and adaptation of advanced technology to new uses.

Excerpt from speech by Chairman of ASTTBC:

“Our 2013 Advanced Technology Award for leadership is being presented to Nigel Bennett, AScT.

Let’s welcome Nigel.

Nigel Bennett has been cleaning up oil spills for 30 years, after graduating from the BCIT Mechanical Technology program.  Nigel joined ASTTBC in 1986.

Nigel spent his first professional decade in oil spill response planning.

In 1992, Nigel formed Aqua-Guard Spill Response, to design, manufacture and distribute equipment and services for marine and industrial spills.  Headquartered in Vancouver, the firm now serves 3,000 clients in 104 countries.

Aqua-Guard has worked on every major spill from the Exxon Valdez to the BP Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Nigel aims to create a more sustainable industry.  He received the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Innovation award in 2012, and this year was a finalist in the United Kingdom “Offshore Support Journal” awards for Innovation.

On the community service side, Nigel has led some 14 trips to Mexico with his family and 500 Vancouver volunteers, to build homes for the homeless.  He also works on behalf of indigenous tribes of the Amazon, on environmental issues in the oil industry.


Congratulations Nigel Bennett on your ASTTBC Advanced Technology Award!”

Photo receiving the ASTTBC Advanced Technology Award from Dave Rutherford President at ASTTBC Awards November 2, 2013.

About Aqua-Guard

Aqua-Guard provides a range of state-of-the-the-art oil spill response solutions including the URO Skimmer System and the RBS TRITON™ range of oil skimmers—all built on Aqua-Guard’s patented RBS TRITON™ technology to deliver some of the highest efficiency and recovery rates in the industry.