“Happy Thanksgiving” by N&J

Vancouver, BC (Oct 25/24) – This year Thanksgiving will be different for N&J. Every year at this time, the Vancouver Rowing Club yacht club (VRC) of which N&J are members, hold their annual Thanksgiving Weekend at Camp Artaban at Port Graves on Gambier Island. What better excuse to get out on the boat!

ICONIC and SPIRIT BEAR rounding Pt. Atkinson enroute…

The location at Camp Artaban, a church-based summer camp has been the go to off-season destination for many boating groups, located in the bay to the west of last months anchoring …Halkett Bay. On this occasion N&J invited fellow marina neighbours Michael & Glenna (M&G) on their SeaRay 40 “ICONIC” along as guest to the function (Steven their beautiful Maine Coon cat was also aboard).

“ICONIC” dropping anchor…

Glenna, Michael & Steven the cat (seen at the top of the stairs)…

The cruise to the island was on a calm, somewhat sunny day and turned out to be fortunately incident free. The view afforded from N&J’s vantage point was spectacular, with the coastal mountains towering high above Howe Sound. Upon arrival the boats were quick to find their anchorage and take in the quiet atmosphere. N was quick to launch the dinghy and take our guest for a tour of the harbour & camp grounds. J & Jesse sat back on the boat relaxing, watching the world go by.

On the Friday evening all the VRC boaters were on their own for dinner. With M&G (and Steven) anchored off to the west of Spirit Bear there were visits back and forth (via dinghies) and a fantastic meal shared together of steak, salmon, along with truffle pasta with shaved morels that M&G had brought back from Europe.

The next day a hike around the camp was in order, lots of extensive hiking trails on Gambier Island. On Saturday night a potluck dinner was planned …the result was exceptional. Delicious food, great company and music in the banquet hall complete with a wood burning stove to warm hearts all around.

On Saturday & Sunday morning hot breakfast was served (eggs, pancakes, bacon, etc) with hot coffee, tea, chocolate. A great way to start the day. Much time was exploring the cove in the dinghy and kayaks, observing the wildlife that was in abundance. The evenings were dark & quiet with little or no wave action …a very peaceful time indeed.

Early Sunday morning M&G pulled anchor as they needed to return to Vancouver to catch a flight home to Calgary.

On Sunday the big event happened …Thanksgiving Dinner!!! Five turkeys with tons of fixings for almost 80 attendees, it was delicious.

With an impending low pressure system approaching bringing strong winds & rainy conditions, N&J left quite early the holiday Monday morning for their home port. Sure enough they experienced some heavy wind & resulting waves in Howe Sound. The low cloud and constant rain created a bit of hazy situation, where the mountains were not visible …thankfully SPIRIT BEAR is equipped with radar & AIS to assist with navigation if required.

As chance would have it, all was as planned until it wasn’t !!!

As Spirit Bear was exiting Howe Sound, passing Point Atkinson on the port side… the diesel engine went silent. After attempting to restart unsuccessfully, it was determined that the diesel fuel filters were plugged. The strong southerly wind behind pushed the intrepid sailors further out into Georgia Strait away from any possible grounding with the mainland & Bowen Island on either side. Canada Coast Guard was informed of the predicament via the VHF radio (ch 16), other mariners in the area were advised of Spirit Bear’s location.

Unable to change the filters in such rough conditions it was decided to get towed back to home port in False Creek, contacting C-TOW (the marine version of BCAA). Approximately 50 minutes adrift, a fellow VRC member in a sailboat who also attended the Thanksgiving event stopped by to offer assistance, advised that a call for a tow was on the way & thanked them for their offer (they hung around until the tow service showed up) 🙂

Within an hour the traveling threesome were ‘under-tow’ back home…

Once safely docked in the slip N&J counted their blessings reflecting on their weekend on the water & sharing the experience with friends. A good feeling all around, breakdown notwithstanding.

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