I was graciously invited by my dear friends, Eric and Trish Boyum from Ocean Adventures to help bring the Great Bear II back to Comox from Vancouver between April 30th and May 4th. Eric had business to tend to during the first few days but we motored out early on the morning of the 3rd. It was pretty surreal to pass through Vancouver Harbour, to see the downtown skyline, Stanley Park and pass under the Lion’s Gate Bridge. Vancouver is a very special place to me.

While Eric tended to business, I was kept busy with tasks aboard the boat, was able to do some reading, met some of the locals at the marina and one of the crew members of Ocean Adventures too, Marjan Watt – a delightful person that I look forward to getting to know more so.

Above: Some lads that just arrived on a big trawler, trying their luck with a crab trap.

Above: Myself and Eric along with Rick and Kathy enjoying some old stories. Kathy read me a bit of a “riot act” on some matters but I was glad to listen.

We followed the Sunshine Coast, passing by Gibsons and Sechelt before adjusting our course for Sabine Channel, in between Lasqueti and Texada Islands. The winds were at our stern and the tide carried us at almost 8.5 NM. We made good time.

About half way through Sabine Channel and wanting to get some aerial footage, a drone flight was decided upon. Eric warned me that it might be a little too windy but I decided to try anyways. Long story short and after much effort to recover the drone, it found a watery grave in Sabine Channel. We both watched it’s demise into the ocean before the screen went black. Lessons learned! The DJ Mavic Mini does not manage wind very well at all. It will be replaced. No big deal but still unfortunate.

As I licked my wounds, we carried on and started to round the NW end of Lasqueti Island and I at the helm. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted what seemed to be “blows.” I commented to Eric “Orca” and just as he looked, he agreed and kept an eye out. A couple seconds later, blows again and it was confirmed. “Orca!” We kept our distance as per regulations but I was able to get some shots of the dorsal fins. My friend Nick Templeman from Campbell River Whale & Bear Excursions has identified the pod as being the TO90’s. To me, this more than made up for the loss of the drone. I was thrilled and so happy. In a bit of a broken voice that I hope he couldn’t tell, I shared with Eric how happy I was to get to see the Orca. I was glad that I was wearing sunglasses, my eyes started to water a little bit. I love Orca so very much. We spent about half an hour with them, watching them come up for air as they moved along the shoreline. We then carried on nearby to our anchorage at False Bay.

Above: T090B identified by my friend Nick Templeman.

Eric and I enjoyed a few beers on the deck and a dinner of sloppy joes and garlic potato that I had prepared in advance. In addition, we treated ourselves to some of Marjan’s jalapeno cornbread which was amazing! We both retired early for the night.

This morning, the morning of the 4th we motored out of False Bay at about 6:30am. At the helm again, I kept course for about a couple hours in what were some decent seas and swell. Eric was able to keep reassuring me, the great mentor that he is, and it was fun to build my confidence further. I think I did pretty good.

We arrived at the Comox Marina shortly after 10:00am and got tied up successfully.

To conclude, I don’t know what I ever did to deserve to have such wonderful people in my life. Thank you, Eric and Trish for embracing me, just as I am, our continued friendship and for all of the incredible memories and experiences that we continue to share in together. I look forward to many more.