Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre, Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
The Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre is of course located in Cowichan Bay on Vancouver Island. As you all know, Cowichan Bay is one of my favourite locations in the Cowichan Valley and for anyone interested in the maritime history of the area a visit to this maritime centre is a must visit.
The present buildings were built in 1988 from a condemned fuel loading dock and former Chevron warehouse. Run by the Cowichan Wooden Boat Society, there are numerous displays including beautiful boat models, a great assortment of old boat engines and generally at least one old wooden boat undergoing restoration. The centre also teaches the art of wooden boat building and restoration, a skill becoming increasingly in demand as owners decide to get back to more traditional ways.
The Society’s Mission Statement is:
- To preserve the heritage of BC’s maritime past as it relates to Cowichan Bay
- To increase awareness and appreciation of this heritage
- To offer boat building programs and restoration projects.
- To conduct community activities that celebrates our maritime history
The Cowichan Bay Maritime Center has an excellent new web site at www.classicboats.org. There are even a few wooden boats for sale if you get the urge to join an interesting group of individuals!
The Cowichan Bay Maritime Center is also home to the Cowichan Valley Dragon Divas, a group of cancer survivors who train and race their Dragon Boats in Cowichan Bay www.dragondivas.ca and Coast Salish carver Herb Rice who carves on site and gives courses in native carving technique. www.coastsalishjourney.com.
Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre, Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Old boat motors on display at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre, Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre, Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Sweet Pea, one of the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centres wooden boats, Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
