Above: the Chrome Island lighthouse, near Denman Island, BC.

On a sunny day, the British Columbia coast is unequaled. You can watch all kinds of boats at work and at play … and I’ve decided to share a few examples of the action.

First, a seine fishing boat, with its net all rolled up, travelling the channel between Vancouver Island and Denman Island, on the BC coast.

This is a crab fishing boat. The fishermen are busy hauling in the traps, surrounded by a cortège of noisy gulls.  The fishermen have to immediately sort their catch, throwing back any females, and males smaller than 165mm across the shell.  The gulls hope that some crabs don’t sink fast enough…

This little volunteer armada moved a 200 foot concrete dock from Swarz Bay on Vancouver Island to Saturna Island, some 28+ km over smooth and rough waters… all in the preparations for the annual Saturna Lamb Barbecue. Save the date, the party is on July 1st.

This was taken earlier this spring on Hornby Island, BC, when a departing Coast Guard vessel passed in front of our boat. The cormorants did not seem at all disturbed by the action. Blasé birds…

And under wind power, a few Sunday sailors head for Browning Harbour, Pender Island, BC.