Nominate an exceptional mariner

By Lookout on Mar 19, 2016 with Comments 0

The Maritime Museum of British Columbia is inviting nominations for the SS Beaver Medal, an annual award that recognizes outstanding contributions to the marine sector.
Nominations are encouraged for anyone who has made noteworthy contributions to B.C.’s marine sector, including: science, technology, business, applications of maritime skills, nautical heritage and culture, and academic offerings. An award is also made to recognize a noteworthy organization, vessel or technological project.

“This year will mark the fifth competition to recognize noteworthy achievements in our province’s diverse maritime scene,” said Barry Rolston, who heads the medal project. “The 2015 awards were presented by Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Judith Guichon in November to Captain Ron Burchett who builds dynamic working models of tugboats used to train mariners worldwide; veteran marine writer Mr. Syd Heal; and Mr. Helmut Lanziner who developed the electronic charts and information display systems that have replaced paper charts.

The Pacific Pilotage Authority which operates the deep sea pilotage service all the way up the BC coast was recognized by a special award.

“ The gold-plated medal is struck from copper salvaged from the 19th century paddlewheel steamship S.S. Beaver, built in England in 1835 for the Hudson’s Bay Company. After rounding the treacherous Cape Horn, Beaver reached the northwest coast where it served for 53 years.

This iconic vessel pioneered commercial navigation on the B.C. coast as a floating trading post, hydrographic survey ship and towboat.

It grounded near Vancouver in 1888 and after foundering, some of her machinery was recovered providing the metal for the Beaver Medal.

“To our knowledge, no other award encompasses all aspects of our coastal industry, history, technology, or practical application of skills,” said former Ambassador and retired Admiral John Anderson. Nominations for 2016 close on May 16, 2016. Nomination information, easy-to-complete forms and due dates are located at http://mmbc.bc.ca/about-2/ s-s-beaver-medal.