Submerged Cables & Inspections

Here's a valuable piece of experience sent to us by Fred Triggs.

Butchart Gardens–submerged cables

1. On a recent visit to Butchart Gardens cove we noted several vessels anchored between the boats on the buoys with stern ties out. It looked a bit close to us, but what do we know? We anchored in Tod Inlet and dinghied in for a delightful day at the gardens.

Later in the afternoon I noted with some envy an empty buoy. With considerably less envy I also noted one of the sailboats which had been anchored (see above) trying to recover his anchor so he could tie up to that buoy. The anchor wasn't coming. Worse, with his anchor chain taut up and down as he worked his engine and the wind blew, he was sliding back and forth across the inlet, narrowly missing the vessels moored to buoys. He had been at it for three hours and was about to add his own anchor to the junk on the bottom.

We broke out our anchor retrieval kit and with more luck than skill got his anchor back. I told him his anchor had a note on it saying, “Don‘t anchor here.”

Reader’s Digest version:

There are submerged cables on the bottom of the cove. Anchoring there isn’t a good idea, except possibly at the one anchorage inshore of the dinghy dock.

Silver lining:

By the time we got him loose and tied to the empty buoy, another buoy had opened up. We got it in time to return to the gardens for the evening entertainment.

Coal Harbour for Inspection

Our first stop in Canada was Vancouver, with a reservation in False Creek. As we approached False Creek we called Canada Customs on the cell phone. They told us they no longer inspect in False Creek, and to come to Coal Harbour, tie up anywhere, and call again. Wife called back to check for consistency. Same answer. Quick U-turn, transit to Coal Harbour, tie up at brand-new wharf in front of hotel, call in again to tell them we were ready for inspection. (Different) officer took all info over the cell and wished us a pleasant stay in Canada, with no care where we were or if we were tied up at all. Underway again to final destination at Pelican Bay Marina. Very accommodating. Wharfinger made at least four calls to us as her situation changed and did get us in. Loaded up at Granville market and wheeled the bags right up to the boat.

We continue to enjoy using your guide. Keep up the good work!

Fred Triggs
M/V NORD LYS