Looking Ahead to the 2018 Season
After a very welcomed break over the holidays, Crew and staff at Bluewater Adventures have hit the ground running! We are in full preparation mode for the Spring School program, finishing up winter maintenance for Island Roamer and Island Odyssey while managing the final adjustments and adornments on our new vessel, Island Solitude. We are gearing up for our busiest season to date with new and talented Crew joining the Bluewater Team. We look forward to hosting our guests from around the World on incredible trips exploring the wilds of the BC and Southeast Alaska coast!Island Solitude Emerges!
Bluewater's new sailing yacht, Island Solitude made her maiden voyage across the ship yard on December 19th, on a very soggy winter's day. The engineering feat we witnessed was intricate and impressive. Moving her from the hangar required a specially built trailer with rear wheel steering to maneuver her to the awaiting travel lift. She was harnessed in huge slings, lifted from the trailer and then driven to the launch slip and lowered slowly - meeting the briny waters of the Fraser River for the very first time! Here are a few snaps of her transport to the water! Stay tuned for more... |
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Southern Resident Killer Whales in Peril
Southern resident killer whales (SRKW) have recently appeared in news headlines that state they are listed as endangered and have been since their numbers began to drop in 2003. |
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Through extensive research, certain threats have been identified. Ocean noise linked to large vesselshipping routes is found to disturb the SRKW’s cooperative hunting of prey (salmon) and their ability to communicate. It has also been determined that fisheries are accessing their prime foraging areas. Their population has since dwindled to only 76 individuals which is exacerbated by zero successful births since 2015 - potentially due to lack of prey.
Typically, it is the northern resident and transient or Biggs killer whales we see on Bluewater Adventures expeditions, but the southern resident killer whales are often seen off the south coast of Vancouver Island in summer and early fall.
Several research and conservation groups, that Bluewater Adventures actively supports, are calling on Canada’s government to issue an emergency order under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) to activate the protection of this important population of whales before it is too late.
Visit Raincoast Conservation Foundation for more information on southern resident killer whales and add your name to the petition urging the Government to act. www.raincoast.org/killer-whales/.
Orcas, Totems & Grizzlies - Join Us!
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Spend 7 days in prime Northern resident orca territory on our Orcas, Totems & Grizzlies expeditions aboard a classic ketch, SV Island Roamer.
| Sail Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound in search of iconic BC coastal wildlife like humpback whales, Dall's porpoise, sea birds and bald eagles, black bears and with a bit of luck, coastal grizzlies up Knight Inlet. With a visit to Alert Bay’s, U’Mista Cultural Centre, this trip is enriched further with an introduction to coastal First Nations art and history. | August 10 - 16, 2018 7 days $4485 per person + $100 sustainability fee + 5% GST
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GUEST BLOG POST: North Coast/ Khutzeymateen
"Khutzeymateen, a place I had never heard of, became my first foray into the wilderness. My apprehension over the word ‘bear’ was soon dispelled as we entered the Grizzly Bear Conservatory under the learned ‘Bear Whisperer’, Barrie Gilbert’s tutelage and guidance..." |
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Experience the Magic for Yourself North Coast/ Khutzeymateen:
May 29 - June 4, 2018 |
Rugged outer islands and remote estuaries Incredible wildlife viewing - grizzlies, humpback whales, orca, Dall's porpoise, Steller sea lions, intertidal areas, sea birds and bald eagles North America's only Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
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