Happy Canada Day to all Canadian and Happy 145th birthday to Canada.

Nanzaro and I are playing host to a friend and family who are visiting Vancouver. We brought them to Steveston Village for the Ship To Shore Festival and to visit the Fisherman’s Whaft.

Ship boarding is free. We went on the first day of the event. The event runs from Friday, June 29 to Sunday, July 1, 2012. The last day of the event coincides with the Salmon Festival for Canada Day celebration in Richmond.  Come to Steveston and enjoy 2 events on Canada Day.

It was a cloudy day and yet with some blue skies. A perfect day to be out to enjoy the summer. Seven historic ships including the above Hawaiian Chieftain will be offering free viewing and boarding.

The  Ship To Shore festival is located at Imperial Landing, Bayview Street and No. 1 road. Hours are from 12:30 to 5 pm on July 1.

The captain seat.

Steer standing.

The historic SS Master steam tug.

The Steveston Lifeboat is a search and rescue boat. It is a lifeboat service runs by the Canadian Lifeboat Institution which is a non State funded marine search and rescue service. The Canadian Lifeboat Institution is a volunteer, non profit organisation. The Canadian Lifeboat Institution has been in service since 1981. Since it’s commencement  members have participated in over 3,000 rescues, working in close cooperation with other search and rescue organizations.

A classical wooden ship’s wheel for large sailing vessels.

The Silver Ann, a 35-foot wooden gillnetter, was built for fishing off the West Coast of British Columbia. She was the last boat to be constucted by Britanna Shipyard. The Silver Ann was launched in 1968-69 and was built for George Osaka as a a river gillnetter. John Willkinson was her last owner. The Silver Ann signified the end of an era for the Britannia Shipyard. She was the very last boat built on the site and when launched, 60 years of boat-building history was launched with it.

The HCMS Oriole provides sail training to junior officers and noncommissioned officers as part of their introduction to life at sea. She also provides a venue for teamwork exercises and  adventure training available to all of the Canadian Forces. She participates in many events, races and public relation day sails in support of local charities.

The Grail Dancer was built on Thetis Island. by owners Maureen and Wayne Loiselle and launched off the beach in 2000. Based on the lines of a Noank Well Smack (a working fish boat from 1866,) she presently sails B.C. waters as a schooner rig.

Ready to row.

Row, row, row your boat.